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