Medial epicondylitis is inflammation of the tendon attachment of the flexor pronator muscles in the forearm. Usually, this begins as microscopic tears in the tissue, which leads to an inflammatory or hypervascular process. This occurs when stiff, underused tendons are suddenly overused, or it may occur from an acute injury. The treatment includes three treatment options: no treatment, conservative treatment, and surgical treatment.
Surgery is a last resort and involves cleaning up the tendon from diseased tissue, shaving down the bone, and re-attachment of the tendon. This is necessary in 10-15% of the patients. Conservative treatment is in two phases. Phase I is to get rid of the pain, and Phase II is to prevent it from coming back with stretching and strengthening exercises. To reduce the pain, using the elbow in a flexed position and the use of an elbow strap counterforce brace is usually the first line of treatment. If the patient has persistent symptoms and pain that does not subside, a cortisone injection may be considered. No more than three injections are recommended per year, and if the patient still has persistent symptoms despite conservative treatment, surgery will be considered.
This condition, commonly called golfer’s elbow, is an inflammation of the tendons that connect the muscles of the forearm to the elbow. The pain is primarily felt at the medial epicondyle, the bony bump on the inner side of the elbow.
The elbow joint is a complex group of bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons. Medial epicondylitis involves the flexor muscles, which control the flexion of the wrist and fingers, and the flexor tendons, which anchor the muscles to the medial epicondyle.
Medial epicondylitis is caused by specific repetitive motions of the wrist and arm. The stress placed on the forearm by swinging a golf club is a common culprit. This stress causes tiny tears to develop in one or more flexor tendons. This results in inflammation and pain.
This condition typically causes pain and tenderness that is centered on the medial epicondyle. This pain may radiate along the forearm and wrist. The elbow may feel stiff, and the hand and wrist may feel weak. A person may experience numbness or tingling in the ring finger and little finger.
Medial epicondylitis typically affects people older than 35. It is a common complaint of athletes who play golf and racquet sports. It also commonly affects people who play throwing sports, such as baseball and football, and people who participate in weight training. Certain occupations can also raise a person’s risk. This condition is common among painters, carpenters and people who use computers.
Treatment options may include rest, ice, antiinflammatory medications and stretching exercises. A physician may recommend an arm brace or wrist splint and physical therapy or massage therapy. Steroid injections or PRP injections may also provide relief.
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