Epicondylitis is a chronic inflammation in the elbow caused by overuse of the joint, resulting in two types of inflammation: tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow. Rest, ice, compression, and elevation are helpful treatments, and physical therapy may be used for severe cases.
Epicondylitis is a chronic inflammation that develops in an epicondyle of the elbow. An epicondyle is a rounded bony structure that is part of a joint and has associated muscle attached. There are two types of epicondyle-related inflammation in the elbow: lateral epicondylitis, also called tennis elbow, and medial epicondylitis, or golfer’s elbow. These conditions are similar, but are the result of two different types of repetitive motion.
Epicondylar inflammation is a type of sports injury classified as a chronic or cumulative overuse injury. This type of injury develops as a result of repeated trauma and stress on a particular part of the body. Chronic injury and inflammation develops because repetitive motion causes tiny tears in a muscle, and the injury isn’t given enough time to heal before the muscles are used again. In the case of tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow, the damage is done to one of the epicondyles of the elbow.
Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are very similar conditions, both caused by chronic overuse of the elbow joint. The main difference between these two sports injuries is the epicondyle that is affected. In tennis elbow, it is the lateral epicondyle, located on the outside of the elbow, that is injured. In golfer’s elbow, the injury occurs on the medial epicondyle, located inside the elbow.
Both types of epicondylitis cause similar symptoms and symptom progression patterns, differing only in the origin of the pain. Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow both lead to the development of elbow pain that is initially mild, but can progress to severe pain if the injury is not given time to heal. As the inflammation progresses, the pain may begin to radiate from the elbow down the arm toward the wrist. People with this chronic elbow inflammation may have difficulty picking up or holding objects.
Epicondylitis is caused by overuse of the elbow joint; therefore the simplest and most effective treatment is to rest the joint and give it time to heal. The RICE method of sports injury management, which includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation, is helpful in treating this condition. Limiting the use of the elbow and stopping playing sports is the most important treatment. Icing the joint in fifteen-minute sessions several times a day and wrapping the elbow to protect the muscles are also helpful treatments.
If the damage is severe, physical therapy may be used to help repair the damage. Physical therapy can be used to strengthen muscles and improve flexibility once they have begun healing. No medications are usually needed for healing, but anti-inflammatory medications may be needed for pain management.
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