BSC 1085C Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Ulnar Nerve, Extensor Carpi Muscle, Radiculopathy
Document Summary
Injury to the lateral aspect of the elbow is the most common upper extremity tennis injury. Tennis elbow is generally caused by overuse of the extensor tendons of the forearm, particularly the extensor carpi radialis brevis. One theory on the cause of lateral epicondylitis is that small tears in the tendon occur through overuse. They begin to heal but when reinjured by continued use, the tendons seem to finally give up on trying to heal and a condition called angiofibroblastic degeneration begins to take over. Think of this as scar tissue that never reaches maturity and remains weak and painful. Others feel that the tendon changes are primarily a result of decreased blood flow in the area, a sort of heart attack of the tendon. The end result is still the formation of the angiofibroblastic tendinosis tissue. The same events can happen with repeated strains like hammering a nail, picking up a heavy bucket, or pruning shrubs.
