Epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, is a chronic inflammation in one of the tendons that extend the wrist (extensor carpi radialis brevis). Although it has been given this name because it affects many tennis players, most patients are not.
Symptoms of epicondylitis or tennis elbow
The medical examination is clear, but the test to confirm whether an elbow has epicondylitis is to take a laptop out of a backpack, palm down. If by performing this action an intense pain is felt, it will be necessary to visit a specialist in traumatology to evaluate the extent of the pathology.
Treatment for epicondylitis or tennis elbow
The initial treatment should always be conservative. Depending on the state of epicondylitis there are multiple treatment options:
- Reduce the causative activities: Especially in the case of racquet sports. Sometimes it is sufficient to increase the thickness of the grip with a tape or overgrip. When the pain is related to racquet sports, it is useful to use an epicondylar elbow strap. This can be obtained in any orthopedics.
- Decrease inflammation: While in more acute cases anti-inflammatory drugs are useful, in chronic cases it is advisable to apply ice. It can be combined with anti-inflammatory creams, which will not harm the stomach even if used for a prolonged period of time.
- Physiotherapy: There are multiple physiotherapy techniques for the treatment of epicondylitis. The most effective is the one based on eccentric exercises. But this treatment must be directed and monitored by a specialist in physiotherapy.
- Steroid injections: They should be reserved for very acute cases, because the relief is usually very transitory, and if repeated in excess, they cause permanent tissue damage.
- Platelet-rich plasma infiltrations: This has become very fashionable as a result of different treatments performed on well-known sportsmen. Platelet-rich plasma infiltrations consist of concentrating growth factors that we have in blood cells (platelets). Its application in the degenerated area of the tendon accelerates the healing of the same being more effective in the medium term than steroids … but much more expensive.
- Elbow arthroscopy: It can be done by open or arthroscopic surgery. The arthroscopic technique is the most advisable, since it allows to clean the degenerated tissue (debridement), at the same time that allows to discard the presence of other articular lesions. However, it should be performed after failure of other less aggressive treatments.