Lateral epicondylitis is a condition where pain and signs of inflammation are occurring around the lateral epicondylar region, or usually known as the lateral side of the elbow due to repetitive contraction of the forearm and wrist extensor muscles, specifically the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) causing tiny tears in the muscle tendon. (Eygendaal, Rahussen & Diercks, 2007) In layman’s term, lateral epicondylitis is also called the Tennis Elbow, because it normally occurs amongst tennis players. But at the same time, lateral epicondylitis can also occurr due to excessive overuse of the extensor muscles of the forearm from any daily activity requiring forceful extensions of the wrist (Seegenschmiedt, Guntrum & Krahl, 2008)
Commonly, lateral …show more content…
There is only inflammation during the early stages and is typically a very mild inflammation. (James, Raymond & Leung, 2014) This condition however, usually causes tendinosis, which defined as the degenerative process. Tendinosis is actually tendon-adaption to multiple micro-tears that results from an overstretch of the muscle tendon; and as a constant accumulation of pathological changes in the muscle tendon builds up, it will lead to a partial or complete rupture of the tendon. Lateral epicondylitis patients would feel vulnerable on the flexed elbow and also a dull aching pain in the lateral side of the elbow. Lateral epicondyle of the elbow typically leaves the lateral aspect of the elbow tender and easily triggers pain when touched, and might be even painful during rotation of the forearm or during wrist flexion. Though there might be pain transmitted to the forearm, pain may also spread to the back and shoulder of the same side in severe cases. (Liu,