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ELBOW

Tennis elbow treatment for elbow pain by an orthopaedic surgeon

Tennis Elbow

Tennis Elbow is a common condition caused by overuse, resulting in pain on the outer side of the elbow, usually from repetitive wrist and arm movements.

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  • Definition: Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) is inflammation or degeneration of the tendons that attach to the lateral epicondyle of the humerus, often due to overuse of forearm muscles.

  • Causes: Repetitive wrist extension or gripping common in tennis players, manual workers, and people using tools or computers extensively.

  • Types:

    • Acute: Sudden onset due to strain

    • Chronic: Ongoing irritation and degeneration of the tendon

  • Symptoms: Pain and tenderness on the outer elbow, weakness in grip, worsens with lifting, shaking hands, or using tools.

  • Diagnosis Tools: Clinical exam (Cozen's test), MRI or ultrasound in persistent or unclear cases.

  • Risk Factors: Age (30–50), repetitive hand use, poor technique in sports, or occupations involving repeated arm motion.

Golfer's Elbow

Golfer's Elbow is a condition resulting from overuse, causing pain on the inner side of the elbow, commonly due to repetitive wrist and forearm movements.

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  • Definition: Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis) is inflammation or degeneration of the tendons that attach to the medial epicondyle of the humerus, caused by overuse of forearm flexor muscles.

  • Causes: Repetitive wrist flexion, gripping, or forearm rotation seen in golf, weightlifting, manual labour, or typing.

  • Types:

    • Acute: Sudden tendon strain

    • Chronic: Degeneration from repeated stress over time

  • Symptoms: Pain and tenderness on the inner elbow, worsens with wrist flexion or gripping, may radiate down the forearm, and reduced grip strength.

  • Diagnosis Tools: Clinical exam (resisted wrist flexion test), ultrasound or MRI for persistent or unclear cases.

  • Risk Factors: Age (typically 30–50), repetitive hand use, improper technique in sports or work, and occupations involving frequent lifting or gripping.

Golfer’s elbow treatment for elbow pain by an orthopaedic surgeon
Cubital tunnel syndrome treatment for elbow pain and hand numbness

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome is a nerve compression condition that affects the ulnar nerve at the elbow, causing numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand.

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  • Definition: Compression or irritation of the ulnar nerve as it passes through the cubital tunnel (inside of the elbow), affecting sensation and movement in the ring and little fingers.

  • Causes: Prolonged elbow bending, leaning on elbows, trauma, repetitive motion, or thickening of soft tissues around the nerve.

  • Types:

    • Mild: Occasional numbness or tingling

    • Moderate: Frequent symptoms with weakness

    • Severe: Muscle wasting and constant numbness

  • Symptoms: Numbness or tingling in ring and little fingers, hand weakness, pain at the inner elbow, and clumsiness or difficulty with fine motor tasks.

  • Diagnosis Tools: Physical exam (Tinel's sign, elbow flexion test), nerve conduction studies, EMG.

  • Risk Factors: Frequent elbow bending, prolonged pressure on elbows, prior elbow fractures, arthritis, or diabetes.

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