Epicondylitis: how to treat tennis elbow

Also known as "tennis elbow" because of the frequency with which it affects these athletes, epicondylitis is the inflammation of the tendons which connect the muscles of the forearm to the outer part of the elbow (lateral epicondylitis). A degenerative tendon process has recently been linked to this insertional tendinitis.

The causes

In addition to tennis racket enthusiasts, this problem can affect all people, mostly between the ages of 30 and 50, who perform repetitive and mechanical movements on the elbow joint which can generate inflammatory phenomena.

Symptoms

The main symptom which distinguishes it is pain in the elbow which can sometimes radiate up to the wrist and the hand and which can also be associated with local swelling, loss of functionality and arm strength, difficulty in extension movements and morning stiffness. Where during the initial phase of the disorder the symptoms can be small enough to be underestimated, as the problem progresses their extent may increase, resulting in a debilitating condition. The latter condition primarily concerns those belonging to at-risk professional categories (cooks, painters, tailors, etc.) who always repeat the same movements for their daily activities.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is made during the exam by the specialist who performs a local palpation of the painful area, verifying the presence of any swelling. Palpation can also be combined with specific tests (i.e. Cozen test, Millis test), while instrumental analysis is not always necessary.