What is it?
The lateral epicondyle is the origin for the extensor muscles of the wrist and fingers. This is located on the outer part of your forearm. These muscles are important for gripping, movement of the fingers and even typing on computers. When the muscles become inflamed or are strained you have these muscles pulling strongly on the membrane which covers the bone known as periosteum. It is this membrane that becomes very irritated and causes sharp pain and/or weakness. Lateral epicondylitis more commonly known as ‘tennis elbow’ (although you don’t have to play tennis to get it!). It is not uncommon for individuals who are suffering from acute lateral epicondylitis to drop cups and pan and unable to open drinks bottle tops.
What is the cause of it?
This disorder is caused by over use or a strain, and prolonged gripping objects tightly such as using a hammer, screw driver, weight lifting or digging in the garden. It can also be caused through repetitive actions such as typing so it can also be a repetitive strain injury. Finding the cause of injury can often be difficult as many people do many different activities so to discover whether the injury is work related or hobby related is often difficult.
How does it feel?
Initially the elbow will feel sore after activity. If left untreated the pain will rather rapidly then occur during activities and after the activity has finished. The pain may begin to travel down the back of the forearm and some swelling may also be observed. The condition can progress still leading to pain and difficulty doing simple activities such as shaking hands, turning the doorknob and holding a cup. In some instances there will be a complete lack of pain in the forearm but instead there will be pain on the back of the fingers. The pain in the fingers is usually a dull ache whereas pain in the forearm is sharp pain which some describe as burning in sensation.
What you should do?
RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) treatment. Rest requires you to stop activity that flares up the injury, and limiting the amount of gripping you do on that arm. Ice should be applied at the site of injury for 15–20 minutes every few hours. This will help limit the amount of haemorrhaging and swelling. Compression involves the application of a firm elastic bandage around your elbow. It should be firm but not to cause pain. Elevation involves you lifting your elbow above the level of your heart.
You should continue the RICE regime until you consult your Osteopath, preferably the sooner the better. They will then treat you so you make a fuller recovery sooner and give advice on how badly you are injured and how long to stay off activity. Lateral epicondylitis can sometimes be a very stubborn injury to shift with some people taking up to one year to attain full rehabilitation and in extreme cases an injection or surgery may be required. They may also recommend various elbow supports that help with the treatment of lateral epicondylitis.
What shouldn't you do?
You should try and isolate the extrinsic factors in your life that cause the pain to flare up and try to avoid participating in them.
Could there be any long term effects?
If left untreated, the muscles of the forearm can weaken and there may be noticeable muscle wasting (muscle atrophy).
What can you do to avoid it?
To avoid this injury you should warm up before any physical activity and warm down after. You should also take regular breaks at work if your work consists of sitting in front of the computer for long periods of time. Also using wrist supports while using the computer will help.
The lateral epicondyle is the origin for the extensor muscles of the wrist and fingers. This is located on the outer part of your forearm. These muscles are important for gripping, movement of the fingers and even typing on computers. When the muscles become inflamed or are strained you have these muscles pulling strongly on the membrane which covers the bone known as periosteum. It is this membrane that becomes very irritated and causes sharp pain and/or weakness. Lateral epicondylitis more commonly known as ‘tennis elbow’ (although you don’t have to play tennis to get it!). It is not uncommon for individuals who are suffering from acute lateral epicondylitis to drop cups and pan and unable to open drinks bottle tops.
What is the cause of it?
This disorder is caused by over use or a strain, and prolonged gripping objects tightly such as using a hammer, screw driver, weight lifting or digging in the garden. It can also be caused through repetitive actions such as typing so it can also be a repetitive strain injury. Finding the cause of injury can often be difficult as many people do many different activities so to discover whether the injury is work related or hobby related is often difficult.
How does it feel?
Initially the elbow will feel sore after activity. If left untreated the pain will rather rapidly then occur during activities and after the activity has finished. The pain may begin to travel down the back of the forearm and some swelling may also be observed. The condition can progress still leading to pain and difficulty doing simple activities such as shaking hands, turning the doorknob and holding a cup. In some instances there will be a complete lack of pain in the forearm but instead there will be pain on the back of the fingers. The pain in the fingers is usually a dull ache whereas pain in the forearm is sharp pain which some describe as burning in sensation.
What you should do?
RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) treatment. Rest requires you to stop activity that flares up the injury, and limiting the amount of gripping you do on that arm. Ice should be applied at the site of injury for 15–20 minutes every few hours. This will help limit the amount of haemorrhaging and swelling. Compression involves the application of a firm elastic bandage around your elbow. It should be firm but not to cause pain. Elevation involves you lifting your elbow above the level of your heart.
You should continue the RICE regime until you consult your Osteopath, preferably the sooner the better. They will then treat you so you make a fuller recovery sooner and give advice on how badly you are injured and how long to stay off activity. Lateral epicondylitis can sometimes be a very stubborn injury to shift with some people taking up to one year to attain full rehabilitation and in extreme cases an injection or surgery may be required. They may also recommend various elbow supports that help with the treatment of lateral epicondylitis.
What shouldn't you do?
You should try and isolate the extrinsic factors in your life that cause the pain to flare up and try to avoid participating in them.
Could there be any long term effects?
If left untreated, the muscles of the forearm can weaken and there may be noticeable muscle wasting (muscle atrophy).
What can you do to avoid it?
To avoid this injury you should warm up before any physical activity and warm down after. You should also take regular breaks at work if your work consists of sitting in front of the computer for long periods of time. Also using wrist supports while using the computer will help.