Elbow Epicondylitis/Epicondylosis
(Tennis Elbow/Golfer’s Elbow)
Lateral/Medial Epicondylitis/Epicondylosis describes acute and chronic inflammation of the muscles of the forearm that attach at the elbow. Initially, the inflammation occurs both at the periosteum (connective tissue covering of the bone) as well as the tendons that insert on the bone (namely the wrist extensor tendons for lateral epicondylitis or wrist flexor muscles for medial epicondylitis).
Epicondylitis is also commonly known as Tennis Elbow which refers to pain on the outside (lateral side) of the elbow. Epicondylosis is commonly known as Golfer’s Elbow which refers to pain on the inside (medial side) of the elbow. Interestingly enough, the conditions are not always present in these sports.
Many times, the biomechanical problem with these conditions is in the shoulder and/or wrist. Having weak shoulder muscles can put the elbow muscles under more stress and cause them to experience pain. Most commonly, patients that are experiencing either of these conditions, have had it for a long time without showing any pain or symptoms.
Research studies have shown that although the tendon is rarely inflamed, it is normally degenerated. Degenerative tendons need completely different treatment than inflamed tendons. They need to be strengthened through a process called low-load eccentrics. Tim Tyler, a physical therapist from New York, conducted a study that showed the addition of an exercise known as the Tyler Twist to the in-clinic treatment helps people with these elbow conditions much more than any other similar treatment. The Tyler Twist uses a TheraBand Flex-Bar for stretching and hands-on manual therapy.
The doctors and staff of Kaizo Health are specially trained in the Tyler Twist and the use of manual therapy to treat these conditions.
