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Tennis elbow tendinosis (epicondylitis)
Robert P Nirschl1, Edward S Ashman
1Nirschl Orthopedic Sportsmedicine Clinic, Virginia Hospital Center, Arlington, Virginia, USA.
Instructional Course Lectures
|May 1, 2004
Summary
Tennis elbow, or epicondylitis, stems from tendon overuse and poor healing. Successful non-surgical treatment involves progressive resistance exercise to revitalize damaged elbow tendons.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Sports Medicine
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is a common condition caused by overuse and failed tendon healing.
- Pathoanatomy involves angiofibroblastic tendinosis, affecting specific elbow extensor and flexor muscle-tendon units.
- Abnormalities are noted in the extensor carpi radialis brevis-extensor digitorum communis, pronator teres, flexor carpi radialis, and triceps tendons.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the pathoanatomy of tennis elbow tendinosis.
- To define the primary goal of nonsurgical treatment for elbow pain.
- To describe successful treatment strategies for epicondylitis.
Main Methods:
- Review of the pathoanatomy of tennis elbow.
- Description of nonsurgical treatment principles.
- Discussion of surgical treatment outcomes when conservative measures fail.
Main Results:
- Overuse and failed healing lead to angiofibroblastic tendinosis in tennis elbow.
- Nonsurgical treatment aims to revitalize unhealthy, painful tendon tissue.
- Rehabilitative resistance exercise and program progression are key to successful non-surgical outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Tennis elbow treatment focuses on tissue revitalization through progressive exercise.
- Successful non-surgical management can be achieved with appropriate rehabilitation.
- Surgery offers a viable and successful option if conservative treatments are ineffective.