Elbow Injuries

Causes

excessive tennis topspin

improper baseball pitching, glofswing

repetitivie hammering, screwdrivering

Exam

Tenderness over medial epicondyle

treatment

avoid ice due to ulnar nerve

medical counterforce brace

stretching

Causes and Risk Factors

Overuse syndrome due to microtrauma to common wrist extensor origin (Primarily ECRB tendon) as a result of repetitive eccentric overload

 

It frequently affects string musicians, drummers, poor computer ergonomics.

Exam

Pain is worse with resisted wrist extension and passive wrist flexion (ie during backhand)

repetitive wrist extension, supination, or heavy lifting

pain improves with cessation of activity

possible trauma for radiculopathy

 

coffee cup sign

 

point tenderness just distal to lateral

Cozen's test - pronate, radially deviate, and extend wrist

Middle finger extension test

pinch and extend test (waiter's tip)

 

neurological exam (C6 radiculopathy can mimic)

Alter/remove factors that lead to injury

stretch

ice massage

forearm compression sleeve/band

NSAIDs

local steroid injection

surgery

extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ECSWT) ?

acupuncture?

deep tissue friction massage?

orthoses?