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

Our customers say

Response from the owner:Muchas gracias Pilar por las 5 estrellas y por confiar en nuestros servicios
Saludos!
Me han puesto el suero para la fibromialgia en MIVI y he vuelto a vivir estoy mas que encantada no se como agradecerlo el dr.David Garcia me ha solucionado el problemon que tenia.
Mil gracias Dr.David
Response from the owner:Gracias Gemma, por compartir su experiencia en MIVI Salud. Nos alegra saber que tuvo una excelente visita con el Dr.David García
Esperamos poder servirle nuevamente siempre que nos necesite.
Saludos
Response from the owner:Gracias Ángeles por las 5 estrellas. En MIVI Salud estamos para ayudar a nuestros pacientes de la mejor forma posible. Un saludo!
Contentísima! Atención trato excelente.

Muchas gracias! Dr.Néstor y secretaria Andrea,por vuestra sensibilidad, cercanía, amabilidad. Me ha mejorado la vida 🧬
Response from the owner:Valoramos tu confianza en nosotros ,Begoña y apreciamos tus amables palabras sobre la experiencia con el Dr. Néstor y equipo. En MIVI Salud nos esforzamos por brindar una atención médica de calidad y cercana a nuestros pacientes.
Saludos
Response from the owner:Muchas gracias por valoración tan positiva Ana Isabel!
Saludos
Molt satisfactoria
Response from the owner:Gràcies Juan per la teva sinceritat i confiança en MIVI Salut
Salutacions
Un servicio muy profesional y eficiente! Lo recomiendo sin duda!
Response from the owner:Muchas gracias Fred ! Nos alegra saber que tu experiencia en MIVI Salud fue excelente. Esperamos poder servirle nuevamente en el futuro.
Saludos
Lo recomiendo 💯 después de estar 8 meses de dolor insoportable y urgencias cada mes nos encontramos con un gran profesional el doctor Francisco Duca Rezzulini un doctor cercano y gran profesional mi marido es otro mil gracias por la
Amabilidad y profesionalidad gracias
Response from the owner:Gracias Mónica por recomendarnos y compartir su experiencia en MIVI Salud. Nos alegra saber que tuvo una excelente visita con el Dr. Duca. Esperamos poder servirle nuevamente siempre que nos necesite.
Un saludo
Andrea me ha tratado estupendamente. Es una pedazo de profesional. La recomendaría 100%.
Estoy muy contenta con Andrea una gran profesional en su trabajo y muy agradable s todas.

Insurance companies

Ask your MIVI centre for information on the agreements with insurance companies.