Hey everyone. Hope summer is treating you well and you have been enjoying the Olympics. What a match between Alcaraz and Djokovic in the final, it was some of the best tennis I have ever seen and as the commentator said. “They are playing tennis sent from the gods”
So it got me thinking about tennis injuries and a common presentation in clinic which we all know is suitably named tennis elbow. It’s a name that really frustrates me and it doesn’t really define anything apart from pointing to the outside of the elbow where it hurts. The term we tend to give it in our industry has changed over the years from lateral epicondylitis (inflammation of the insertion point on the radius bone) or extensor tendinosis (a degeneration of the tendon’s collagen in response to chronic overuse)
Though these two conditions exist and can be treated successfully with osteopathic treatment, there is another cause of tennis elbow pain that can be missed if not assessed which goes by the names (Radial nerve entrapment)
Radial nerve entrapment, is a condition in which the radial nerve that runs along the bones and muscles of the elbow and forearm is compressed. Compression or entrapment can occur at any location along the path of the nerve, but the most frequent location occurs in the upper forearm, near the outer elbow.
Symptoms tend to develop slowly and can include pain, weakness, or numbness with/without tingling.
Radial nerve entrapment is often thought to be a result of overuse, but it does occur due to other causes – such as direct trauma and old fractures. Most commonly it occurs in patients who participate in recreational (e.g., sports) and occupational activities with repetitive motions such as pushing or pulling, twisting, gripping with the hand or bending the wrist.
This can lead to compression and/or traction at the stable joints, while direct trauma can cause sudden inflammation and changes to the surrounding tissue. Prolonged local swelling can result in partial nerve damage if it is not addressed. Recovery of function is more likely with a mild injury, thus a shorter duration of compression.
So if you are currently suffering from outer arm pain and its not getting better or even worse then please reach out and lets see if your tennis elbow is actually radial nerve entrapment.
Enjoy the rest of your summer.
Mario
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