Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis

Abstract

Epicondylitis is one of the most commonly diagnosed musculoskeletal disorders of the upper- extremity. Lateral epicondylitis, also known as “tennis elbow,” is a painful condition of the tendinous origin of the wrist extensor muscles. Anatomically, the three major components of the common extensor tendon are the extensor carpi radialis brevis, the extensor digitorum, and the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon. Injury is due to repetitive stress on the common extensor tendon around its attachment to the lateral humeral epicondyle in response to manual tasks, forceful activities, or sports that require high force combined with high repetition or awkward posture (tennis, water polo, baseball, fencing).