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Tennis elbow

Anatomical, epidemiological and therapeutic aspects

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Summary

Five studies of tennis elbow are presented. Epidemiological studies showed an incidence of tennis elbow between 1 and 2%. The prevalence of tennis elbow in women between 40 and 50 years of age was 10%. Half of the patients with tennis elbow seek medical attention. Local corticosteroid injections were superior to the physiotherapy regime of Cyriax. Release of the common forearm extensor origin resulted in 70% excellent or good results one year after operation and 89% at five years. Anatomical investigations and nerve conduction studies of the Radial Tunnel Syndrome supported the hypothesis that the Lateral Cubital Force Transmission System is involved in the pathogenesis of tennis elbow.

Résumé

Présentation de cinq études différentes concernant l'épicondylite radiale (tennis elbow). Les études épidémiologiques évaluent sa fréquence entre 1 et 2%. Chez la femme, de 40 à 50 ans, elle est de 10%. Près de la moitié des patients souffrant d'épicondylite consultent leur médecin en raison de leurs troubles. Les résultats des infiltrations de corticostéroïdes sont supérieurs à ceux de la physiothérapie, en accord avec les travaux de Cyriax. La désinsertion chirurgicale de l'extenseur commun au niveau du coude donne 70% d'excellents ou de bons résultats après 1 an et 89% après 5 ans. Les investigations anatomiques et les études concernant la conduction dans le syndrome du tunnel radial permettent de soulever l'hypothèse d'une atteinte du système de transmission des forces latérales dans la pathogénie du «tennis elbow».

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics, University Hospital Maastricht, P. O. Box 5800, NL-6202 AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    J. A. N. Verhaar

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  1. J. A. N. Verhaar
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Winner of the Maurice E. Müller SICOT Award 1993

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Verhaar, J.A.N. Tennis elbow. International Orthopaedics 18, 263–267 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00180221

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