Golfer's elbow *tennis elbow*

Definition • Golfer's elbow is a condition that causes pain on the inner side(medial

epicondylitis) of the elbow, where the tendons of the forearm muscles attach to the bony bump on the inside of the elbow.

• The pain may spread into your forearm and wrist.• It’s most  common in people older than 35.

What’s the cause of Golfer’s elbow?

• Golfers ,tennis players and others who repeatedly use their wrists or clench their fingers also can develop golfer's elbow.

• Gripping or swinging the clubs incorrectly can take a toll on your muscles and tendons.

• Racket sports.

• Excessive topspin can hurt your elbow. Using a racket that's too small or heavy also can lead to injury

• Throwing sports.

• Improper pitching technique in baseball or softball can be another culprit. Football, archery and javelin throwing

• Weight training. Lifting weights using improper technique, such as curling the wrists during a biceps exercise

• painting, raking, hammering, chopping wood, using a computer, doing assembly-line work and cooking. A day or two of yardwork or cooking for company usually won't cause golfer's elbow, though. The activity generally needs to be done for more than an hour a day on many days to cause a problem.

Golfer's elbow is characterized by:• Pain and tenderness on the inner side of your elbow. Sometimes

the pain extends along the inner side of your forearm.

• Stiffness

• Weakness (especially of your hands and wrists)

The pain of golfer's elbow may appear suddenly or gradually. The pain may get worse when you:1- Swing a golf club or racket2- Squeeze or pitch a ball3- Shake hands4- Turn a doorknob5- Lift weights6- Pick up something with your palm down7- Flex your wrist.

Numbness and tingling are abnormal sensations that can occur anywhere in your body,

but are often felt in your fingers, hands, feet, arms, or

legs.

• Numbness or tingling (in ring and little finger )

Treatment^_^ • Rest.• Ice the affected area. Apply ice packs to your elbow for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, three

to four times a day for several days.

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs.over-the-counter pain relievers (ibuprofen/naproxen /acetaminophen*Aspirin*).

• Physical or occupational therapy can be helpful too (Wrap your elbow with an elastic bandage or use a forearm strap).

• Surgery is seldom necessary. But if your signs and symptoms don't respond to conservative treatment in six to 12 months, surgery may be an option.

• Depending on the severity of your condition, the pain may linger for several months — even if you take it easy and precisely follow instructions on exercising your arm. Sometimes the pain returns or becomes chronic.

Complications1/ Chronic elbow pain

2/ A limited range of motion3/ A lasting, fixed bend (contracture) in your elbow

elastic bandage

Fracture of elbow don’t include the Golfer (tennis elbow) Mechanism of injury in elbow fractures and dislocation

Radial head and neck fractures Fall on to an outstretched hand

Olecranon fractures •Elderly - indirect trauma by pull of triceps and brachioradialis•Children - direct blow to elbow

Fractures of the coronoid process Fall on to an extended elbow as for elbow dislocation

Fractures of the distal humerus Fall on to an extended outstretched hand

Intercondylar fractures Direct or indirect blow to elbow

Condylar fractures Direct blow to a flexed elbow

Capitellum fracture Fall on to an outstretched hand, or direct trauma

Elbow dislocation •Fall on to an extended elbow•Common in sport in the young

Elbow dislocation is the second most common major joint dislocation. The 'terrible triad of the elbow' refers to a combination of elbow dislocation and radial head and coronoid process fracture - it is notoriously difficult to manage although a systematic review found that whilst complications are common, functional outcomes are generally satisfactory.Investigations•AP and lateral X-rays of the elbow to confirm dislocation and exclude fractures.•Prompt reduction is essential. This is usually performed under IV sedation and with adequate analgesia. It has 2 type: Posterior dislocationAnterior dislocation

Reference

• http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/elbow-injuries-and-fractures• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golfer%27s_elbow