Lateral Epicondylitis

The enthesis is where a muscle, tendon, or ligament anchors itself to a bone

An enthesopathy is a disease of this attachment point

Enthesopathies:

• Tend to arise in middle age (35 to 65)

• Last a year +/- 6 months

• Go away and don't return

• In spite of years of work, we can't get it go away sooner

eECRB: Enthesopathy of the attachment point (origin) of the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle (one of the three muscles that bends you wrist back) 

Misnomers

• Tennis elbow: It's not caused by tennis

• Epicondylitis: "itis" means inflammation, but this is not an inflammatory condition

How do I know if I have eECRB? 

• Age 35 to 65

• Tender to press over a single point on the bone of the outside of the elbow

• Pain when lifting something heavy with the palm down

• Pain when flexing the wrist with the elbow straight

Treatment Options

• It's safe to keep active

• It will go away in 1 to 2 years and leave no trace

• Things to help you feel better while you wait for it to go (click to learn more): 

  • Peace of mind (it's safe to be yourself and do things that hurt)

  • Stretching and strengthening

  • Braces

  • Ice or heat

  • Acetaminophen or NSAIDs

• What about injections?   

  • They are still commonly used, but science doesn't support them

Other Common Enthesopathies in the Arm (click to learn more): 

• Medial epicondylitis 

• Distal biceps tendinopathy