A 20 year old member of the college tennis team developed pain and tenderness in

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Anthrology Case History

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1.   What are the scientific and common terms for this disorder?

The common terminology for this particular disorder is tennis elbow. The scientific name used to term this disorder is lateral epicondylitis.

2.   Describe what is occurring physiologically.

Physiologically, what is occurring in tennis elbow involves tiny tears in the muscle and tendon that heal after repeated injury, but in such a way that causes them to not be as stable, resulting in hemorrhaging and scar tissue formation in the lateral epicondyle and sometimes the medial epicondyle as well. The resulting formations that occur are primarilly consistant of rough granulated tissue and deposits of calcium that occur within the surrounding tissues. A protein called collagen then leaks out from the collagen fiberous tendons around the affected areas which lead to inflamation of the joints and muscles. There can then be an increase in preassure which can cut off the blood flow and pinch the radial nerve, which controlls the muscles in the hand and arm.

3.   What specific action(s) and muscle(s) are responsible for this condition?

Motion that is repetitively causing strain on the elbow, such as swinging a bat, swinging a tennis racket to hit a tennis ball, or even swinging an axe to chop a tree can contribute to causation behind tennis elbow. The wrist extensors, wrist flexors, biceps and triceps are the primary muscles that are responsible for this condition.

4.   What activites  and muscle involvement could produce a similar condition on the medial epicondylar surface of the humerus?

Another condition that would be similar to tennis elbow is “golfers elbow” (medial epicondylitis). This condition also involves the damage to the epicondyler surface of the humerus, and is generally brought on by fingers being clenched to tightly in a repetitive motion, causing strain on the wrist, and include such actions such as grasping and swinging a golf club or grasping and swinging a hammer.


5.   Describe changes in technique which could alleviate the condition described.

Simply making sure that the form of the individual is correct when hitting the ball could help. Also making sure that a proper warm up/ stretching routine is adopted, to help ensure maximum flexibility while going through the ranges of motion required would be beneficial. Other things like the correct size and weight of the racket for the individual may also prove beneficial in helping to reduce the effects of the condition described.