Elbow tendinopathies: epicondylitis and epitrochleitis

What is

Tendinopathies in the elbow joint are caused by the deterioration of the tendons that join the different muscles with the bones that form part of this joint. Its development is usually slow and the pain progressive; it is not rare that partial or total tendon ruptures occur, so it is important to act as soon as possible on the factors that lead to the deterioration and subsequent possible rupture of the tendon.

Type

Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)

Epicondylitis or tennis elbow is caused by wear and inflammation of the tendons that join the forearm muscles on the outside of the elbow and are involved in the extension of the wrist and fingers.
This injury is usually caused by overuse of these muscles in racquet sports such as tennis, paddle tennis and squash. This causes pain and tenderness to pressure on the outside of the elbow.

Epitrochleitis (Golfer's Elbow)

Epitrocleitis is the inflammation and degeneration of the tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the inside of the elbow.
It is one of the most common causes of elbow pain and is usually related to activities and sports such as golf, climbing or volleyball.
It is caused by wear and tear of the insertion in the bone of the muscles that allow flexion of the wrist.

Symptoms

Symptoms usually appear gradually, i.e. the pain increases slowly with increasing wear and tear. The pain appears on the outside (epicondylitis) or inside of the elbow (epitrochleitis) and as it progresses, there is a decrease in grip strength.

Approach protocol

Diagnosis and assessment

A correct medical evaluation will be necessary by means of a good anamnesis, physical examination and, if necessary, with the support of imaging tests. Focusing especially on identifying the factors that lead to tendon overload (in this phase the biomechanics and the physical trainer will be fundamental) and assessing whether the injury is exclusively a tendinopathy, if there is a rupture or if there are associated calcifications. This will allow to select the best treatment.

Complementary tests

X-ray and/or MRI.

Treatment

The treatment will depend on the doctor’s diagnosis and the degree of deterioration of the tendon, depending on it may be applied:

Drugs for pain relief
Physiotherapy: methodology based on knowledge and clinical reasoning in which we combine a series of techniques and treatments both manual therapy and invasive techniques, always associated or complementing them with cutting-edge technology that allows us to accelerate the recovery process. Among other high-tech devices include Magnetolith, SIS, focal shock waves, Indiba, among others. This therapeutic combination allows us to activate the patient early to begin with a routine and a process of specific therapeutic exercises that allow us to enhance and strengthen the lost functional patterns.
Interventional treatments:
- Regenerative medicine treatments
  - Platelet-rich plasma: the compound extracted from the patient’s own blood has a concentrate of anti-inflammatory factors and cytokines that make it very useful for this pathology.
  - Cytokine-rich serum: this is a different process to platelet-rich plasma in which a compound rich in anti-inflammatory cytokines is also obtained from the blood.
  - Stem cells: originating from the patient’s bone or fat, they have a regenerative and anti-inflammatory power that makes them a unique treatment for pain relief.
- Hyaluronic acid treatment
- Nerve blocks

Here begins your life without pain

Book appointment

Petri Mateo

Muy agradecida al Dr Orduna por su interés y dedicación,para mejorar mis dolores en gran medida lo me ayuda a tener, mejor calidad de vida. El equipo del que se rodea inmejorable.Muchas gracias

Response from the owner:¡Muchas gracias Petri, por tomarte tiempo para dejar esta reseña tan positiva sobre el Dr. Orduña a y nuestro equipo! Nos alegra saber que has tenido una experiencia satisfactoria en nuestra clínica. Saludos

Pepa Garcia

Personal extraordinario, Estrella muy buena profesional y agradable, Andrea estupenda y simpática

Juani Cruz

Todo excelente. Estoy muy contenta con el trato tanto profesional como humano, sobre todo de mi fisioterapeuta Alicia.

Manuela Bandelló

Excelente trato y gracias al doctor Nebreda, ya no tengo dolor!!!

Elena Amores

Son muy profesionales ,súper cariñosas y amables. ( Todo el grupo de físicos)
Gracias a la profesionalidad de Andrea estoy recuperando la movilididad de mi brazo cuando me dijo el doctor que había probabilidades de tener que pasar por el quirofano. Infinitamente agradecida.
Solicitaría un plus en sus sueldos por sus ganas y buenas energias

amparo zafra gómez

Response from the owner:Muchas gracias Amparo por tu valoración! Saludos

Elena Díaz Rodríguez

Ha sido una experiencia muy positiva, el trato excelente y profesionalidad excepcional,no sólo por parte del Dr. Orza sino de todo su equipo. La atención recibida por parte de Itahisa y de Erika también inmejorables.
Vivir con dolor es terrible, así que todo lo que se intente para aliviarlo o eliminarlo es poco. Es una inversión en lo único que tenemos por una sóla vez, que es la propia existencia, la vida.

Response from the owner:Muchas gracias Elena, por tomarte el tiempo de dejar esta reseña tan positiva sobre el Dr. Orza a y nuestro equipo! Nos alegra saber que has tenido una experiencia satisfactoria en nuestra clínica. Saludos

Adrián Vida

Muy buena Clinica.
Tenía muy mal el cuello y la espalda y con solo 2 sesiones me encuentro mucho mejor.
Raquel es una gran profesional recomendable 100%.

Sandra Gonzalez

Fantàsrica atenció

Response from the owner:Moltes gràcies Sandra per la teva valoració!

Maria Martínez fernandez

La atención tanto de la enfermera patricia como la del doctor fue buenísima,te explican todo super bien y te dan muchísima tranquilidad

Response from the owner:Nos alegra mucho saberlo Maria! En MIVI Salud, nos esforzamos por ofrecer siempre el mejor cuidado para nuestros pacientes. Estamos aquí para cuidar de ti. ¡Gracias por tu confianza y fidelidad!