Elbow

Not just limited to tennis players this is a condition caused by repetitive use of the wrist extensors that creates an inflammation of the tendons around the lateral epicondyle.  

Tennis elbow can also be a side effect or symptoms of shoulder or cervical pathologies. 

The opposite of tennis elbow this condition affects the wrist flexor tendons. 

There are a few places around the elbow where nerves pass:

- cubital tunnel where the ulnar nerve passes through the back of the elbow creating numbness or tingling down the forearm and hand. this is the same point associated with symptoms of knocking the funny bone.

- pronator teres syndrome where the median nerve is trapped in the muscles of the forearm creating tingling or pins and needles in the forearm. 

- Posterior interosseous nerve (a branch of the radial nerve) can be pinched at the lateral elbow. unlike the other two this one does not show with tingling or pins & needles instead is characterised by weakness in the wrist and fingers. 

Like other joints the elbow has ligaments supporting it which can become damaged. These are usually injured during an accident such as a fall and will present as specific point pain, or an instability in the joint which will vary depending on the level of injury. 

Unlike osteo-arthritis the rheumatoid version will usually present with bilateral pain and may have redness and swelling. It is best diagnosed by blood test. 

If the elbow becomes damaged and is left in a fixed position for any length of time in a sling or cast, once released there is often a stiffness left. It can take a while for full range and strength to be regained.