Tendinitis in the elbow

Definition

Inflammation of the tendon (tendinitis, from Latin tendo = the tendon, or epicondylitis from Greek epi = around and kondylos = the ankle) is an inflammatory disease of the attachment fibers of one or more muscles. In most cases, age- and use-related degenerative changes in the tendon are the trigger. Such an inflammation of the tendon can also become noticeable in the elbow joint, which is a compound joint consisting of a hinge joint and a so-called tenon joint.

The cause, however, is by no means the elbow joint itself, but rather the tendons of the muscles that act on the elbow joint. Either the muscles of the inner side of the arm, which serve to bend the wrist and fingers, or the muscles of the outer side of the arm, which are responsible for stretching, can be affected. In common parlance, the irritation of the inner tendons is known as golfer’s elbow (epicondylitis ulnaris humeri) and that of the outer tendons as tennis elbow (epicondylitis radialis humeri). Rarely are both clinical pictures present at the same time. Depending on the type and extent of movement, different symptoms and limitations can occur.

Causes

The most common cause of tendon inflammation in general is age-related regression of the tendon. Long-term overloading (or merely constant strain) leaves its mark. Major risk factors for elbow tendonitis are excessive exercise without adequate rest and poor technique during exercise.

Training with too much weight and neglecting to perform the exercise properly can cause permanent damage to tendons, muscles and joints. A repetitive, uniform load, which demands the same structures each time, also increases the risk of developing epicondylitis. Especially sports such as tennis or golf, which have even found their way into the colloquial name of the disease, are typical for such repetitive strain. However, symptoms of tendonitis can also occur without the practice of sport. As further possible triggers, both job-related stress, for example during physical work, and leisure activities of the most varied kinds are possible.