Mechanical solution for a mechanical problem: Tennis elbow.

Title

Mechanical solution for a mechanical problem: Tennis elbow.

Creator

Rothschild Bruce

Publisher

World journal of orthopedics

Date

2013
2013-07

Description

Lateral epicondylitis is a relatively common clinical problem, easily recognized on palpation of the lateral protuberance on the elbow. Despite the "itis" suffix, it is not an inflammatory process. Therapeutic approaches with topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids and anesthetics have limited benefit, as would be expected if inflammation is not involved. Other approaches have included provision of healing cytokines from blood products or stem cells, based on the recognition that this repetitive effort-derived disorder represents injury. Noting calcification/ossification of tendon attachments to the lateral epicondyle (enthesitis), dry needling, radiofrequency, shock wave treatments and surgical approaches have also been pursued. Physiologic approaches, including manipulation, therapeutic ultrasound, phonophoresis, iontophoresis, acupuncture and exposure of the area to low level laser light, has also had limited success. This contrasts with the benefit of a simple mechanical intervention, reducing the stress on the attachment area. This is based on displacement of the stress by use of a thin (3/4-1 inch) band applied just distal to the epicondyle. Thin bands are required, as thick bands (e.g., 2-3 inch wide) simply reduce muscle strength, without significantly reducing stress. This approach appears to be associated with a failure rate less than 1%, assuming the afflicted individual modifies the activity that repeatedly stresses the epicondylar attachments.

Subject

Inflammation; Adaptive equipment; Elbow; Epicondylitis; Mechanical overload; Tennis elbow

Rights

Article information provided for research and reference use only. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).

Pages

103–106

Issue

3

Volume

4

Citation

Rothschild Bruce, “Mechanical solution for a mechanical problem: Tennis elbow.,” NEOMED Bibliography Database, accessed November 10, 2024, https://neomed.omeka.net/items/show/5244.