Effective Tennis Elbow Injection Treatment

Specialists in treatment of tennis elbow with injections

I am Miguel Alfonso Porcar, a recognized specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of the main elbow ailments and injuries.

Our objective is to:

• determine the cause of your pain,
• perform appropriate diagnostic tests to determine the extent of the elbow injury,
• and apply the treatment of regenerative traumatology or orthopedic surgery to achieve maximum comfort as soon as possible.

We want to help our patients using the safest, most successful, least invasive and most economical treatments possible!

What is tennis elbow?

The elbow is a joint formed by three bones: the humerus, ulna and radius.

The lower end of the humerus has bony protrusions called epicondyles, which serve as insertion sites for the major tendons and muscles that aid in elbow movement. Specifically, the protrusion on the outside of the elbow is called the lateral epicondyle.

It is used to fix the tendons and muscles that help extend the fingers and wrist, as well as to perform exercises that require pronation of the forearm(putting the palm of the hand downward).

Tennis elbow, also called lateral epicondylitis, is a pathology caused by repeated muscle contractions in the forearm with pronation and flexion exercises.

Overuse causes inflammation and pain in the tendons that attach to the lateral epicondyle named. Lateral epicondylitis is therefore a type of tendinitis, i.e. an inflammation of the tendons and/or their insertion.

What is epicondylitis with partial rupture?

Epicondylitis with partial rupture is a condition that affects the tendons of the extensor muscles of the forearm, specifically in the elbow area. Partial rupture of the tendons affected by epicondylitis can occur in some cases due to trauma or sudden exertion.

Causes of lateral epicondylitis or tennis elbow

Tennis elbow is usually caused by overuse of the forearm muscles, but can also be caused by direct trauma (less common) , such as a fall, car accident or work injury.

Repetitive arm movements can cause muscles to become fatigued.

As the muscle tires, the tendon bears more load. This overload can cause inflammation and localized pain, known as tendonitis (inflammation at the insertion of the tendon into the corresponding bone).

With each muscle contraction, the tendon is stretched, causing pain. Over time, this overload can cause a degenerative condition known as tendinosis.

Together, tendinitis and tendinosis can be a risk factor for tendon rupture.

Tennis elbow is commonly seen in tennis players, hence its name.

We must visualize the “forehand liftada” of the Spanish players. Where a forced flexion movement of the elbow and wrist is performed, together with a pronation movement of the forearm. The sum of both movements in a repeated way increases the clinic.

Other common causes are activities that require a repetitive movement of the forearm, such as painting, hammering, typing, playing musical instruments…

What are the symptoms of tennis elbow?

Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis is usually the result of overuse.

Symptoms usually appear progressively and pain may worsen over weeks or even months.

Lateral epicondylitis or tennis elbow presents one or more of the following symptoms:

• Sensation of heat and/or pain on the outside of the elbow, which may move to the wrist (these sensations may worsen at night).
• Pain when turning or bending the arm (e.g., to turn a doorknob or open a jar).
• Pain on the outside of the elbow radiating to the forearm and wrist when grasping objects.
• Decreased grip strength and/or pain that increases when the wrist is bent.
• Stiffness or pain when extending the arm.
• Elbow joint swollen and tender to the touch.

Causes of elbow pain

Causes related to elbow injuries include damage to parts of the elbow, such as bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons or muscles.

• Arthritis of elbow: Occurs when the cartilage surface of the elbow is worn or damaged by previous injury, such as a dislocation or elbow fracture, or by degeneration.
• Tendonitis elbow treatment: Lateral epicondylitis refers to intense pain in the external area of the elbow. It is the result of repetitive strain resulting in injury to the insertion of the tendons at the epicondyle of the elbow. Elbow infiltration with PRP is often the definitive solution for epicondylitis.
• Golfer elbow treatment: For also called medial epicondylitis, it causes pain in the inner aspect of the elbow (the medial epicondyle), which can radiate towards the inner aspect of the forearm. 
• Elbow bursitis treatment: Bursitis is the inflammation of the elbow bursa (a fluid-filled sac-like structure that reduces friction between bones, muscles, and tendons). Direct trauma, a localized infection, or overuse can be causes of this condition, among others.