The Elbow
The elbow is made up of three bones. The bone of your upper arm (known as the humerus), and the two forearm bones (known as the radius and ulna). It is classified as a ‘modified hinge joint’ because it bends like a hinge, but also has an extra range of motion that makes it different. The joint between the humerus and the ulna/ radius is the main elbow joint, which bends and straightens the arm like a hinge. The link between the radius and ulna allows the forearm to twist, turning your palm up and down, this is the extra range of motion that makes the elbow a modified hinge.
Many important muscles cross the elbow joint, providing movement and strength. The main muscles to bend the elbow like a hinge are the biceps (bending) and the triceps (straightening). The biceps tendon is prone to inflammation, often associated with repetitive strain. It can occasionally rupture, (where the tendon comes away from its attachment at the bone) this is usually due to a trauma. It is unusual to suffer similar injuries with the triceps.
The elbow is stabilised by some very important ligaments on the inner and outer joint surfaces (these are known as collateral ligaments), which can be damaged from a fall or repetitive sports, such as cricket. Over a long period of time, repetitive strains to a ligament can cause it to become lax resulting in the elbow becoming unstable.
Several nerves pass over the elbow. Injury, inflammation and muscular tightness around the elbow can irritate these nerves and create pain, weakness and numbness in certain parts of the hand, forearm and wrist.
Tennis and Golfers Elbow
You may have heard of elbow pain being referred to as ‘golfers’ or ‘tennis’ elbow. These conditions are named after sports that they might be associated with, but not exclusive to. These conditions may be aggravated by strain through repetitive movements of the forearm and wrist.
The muscles that move the wrist attach on the inside and outside of the elbow and excessive strain can cause the attachments to become inflamed. This causes pain at the elbow, aggravated by wrist and hand movements, pain in the forearm, and sometimes numbness and pins & needles. If this occurs on the outside of the elbow, it is the muscles that extend the wrist that are involved. This is known as tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis. If it occurs on the inside of the elbow, it is the muscles that flex the wrist that are involved. In this case it is known as golfers elbow or medial epicondylitis.
Treatment
