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Tennis elbow, anatomy

Tennis elbow

  • Tendinopathy caused by a hyaline degeneration in the tendon attachment
  • The pain can spread up to the upper arm and down to the forearm in addition to the pinpoint pain at the elbow (radial humeral epicondyle)
  • Movements involving the hand, such as unscrewing the lid on a jam jar or lifting the milk carton, can cause pain, and in some cases be impossible to perform due to lack of strength
  • Most common at ages 35-55, equal gender distribution
  • ECRB is examined by palpation at the attachment and tested with the elbow joint straight and extension of the 3rd metacarpal
  • ECRL is examined with 30 degrees elbow flexion and extension of the 2nd metacarpal
  • ECU is tested with ulnar deviation of the wrist against resistance.

Diagnosis of tennis elbow

Tennis elbow, wrist extension

Finger extension

Muscles

  • M. extensor digitorum

Tennis elbow, examination

Extension with clenched hand

Muscles

  • M. extensor carpi radialis brevis
  • M. extensor carpi radialis longus
  • M. extensor carpi ulnaris

Tennis elbow, examination

Wrist radial deviation

Muscles

  • M. extensor carpi radialis brevis
  • M. extensor carpi radialis longus

Tennis elbow, examination

Wrist ulnar deviation

Muscles

  • M. extensor carpi ulnaris
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