Medial Epicondyle Tendinopathy

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Original Editors - Anouk Toye

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Search Strategy

Websites:
- Pubmed
- Web of knowledge
- Sholar.google.com
- Books.google.com

Keywords:
- Medial epicondylitis
- Golfer’s elbow
- Elbow injuries

- Physical therapy
- Treatment
- Diagnosis

Each time I’ve combine one of the first three words with one of the last three words.

Definition/Description

Epicondylitis is a painful inflammation or tenderness of the muscles and soft tissues around an epicondyle.

Medial epicondylitis is mostly an overload injury. The most sensitive region is located near the origin of the wrist flexors on the medial epicondyle of the humerus. Sometimes the patient also experiences pain on the ulnar side of the forearm, the wrist and occasionally in the fingers. Although epicondylitis means there is an inflammation, there is some controversy with this pathology. Histologically it has been shown that medial epicondylitis is the result of microtearing in the tendon that isn’t fully relapsed. Some physical therapists prefer the term tendonosis instead of epicondylitis. [1]

Clinically Relevant Anatomy

Osteology:
- Medial epicondyle of the Humerus

Musculature: Wrist Flexor Group
- M. pronator teres
- M. flexor carpi radialis
- M. palmaris longus
- M. flexor digitorum superficialis
- M. flexor carpi ulnaris

All these muscles have the same origin: the medial epicondyle. [4]

Epidemiology /Etiology

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Characteristics/Clinical Presentation

Patients often denote pain in the area just distal to the medial epicondyle of the humerus. As said previously the most sensitive region is located near the origin of the wrist flexor group. Sometimes the patient complains about pain on the ulnar side of the forearm, the wrist and occasionally in the fingers. [2]

In the beginning epicondylitis may show inflammation or some synovitic characteristics. Later on it shows evidence of microtearing. [2]

Differential Diagnosis

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Diagnostic Procedures

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Outcome Measures

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Examination

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Medical Management

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Physical Therapy Management

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Key Research

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Resources

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Clinical Bottom Line

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Recent Related Research (from Pubmed)

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References

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