Medial epicondylitis (ME), commonly known as “golfer’s elbow,” is a degenerative tendinopathy of the flexor-pronator origin at the medial epicondyle of the humerus. Despite its name, the condition is not limited to athletes but frequently affects individuals engaged in repetitive wrist flexion and forearm pronation, such as manual laborers and musicians. Medial epicondylitis is significantly less prevalent than lateral epicondylitis, typically affecting adults aged 30–60 years, predominantly in the dominant arm. Repetitive stress, valgus overload, and microtrauma to the flexor-pronator muscle group result in tendon degeneration, angiofibroblastic hyperplasia, and, in some cases, ulnar nerve involvement. Diagnosis is primarily clinical, supported by physical tests such as resisted wrist flexion and forearm pronation. Imaging modalities assist in confirming the diagnosis and ruling out differential pathologies, including medial collateral ligament insufficiency, ulnar neuritis, and intra-articular lesions. Preventive measures include ergonomic optimization, proper technique in sports and occupational tasks, and progressive strengthening of the wrist flexors and pronators. Conservative treatment remains the mainstay, with success rates of 60–90%. Rest, physiotherapy emphasizing eccentric strengthening, and load management form the basis of management. Adjunctive therapies such as corticosteroid injections, platelet-rich plasma, and extracorporeal shockwave therapy may be used, though long-term superiority over natural recovery is unproven. Surgical intervention is reserved for chronic, refractory cases and includes open, percutaneous, or arthroscopic debridement, sometimes combined with ulnar nerve decompression.

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Medial Elbow Epicondylitis

  • Alberto Alfieri Zellner,
  • Suncana Van Hattem,
  • Amadeo Touet,
  • Davide Cucchi

摘要

Medial epicondylitis (ME), commonly known as “golfer’s elbow,” is a degenerative tendinopathy of the flexor-pronator origin at the medial epicondyle of the humerus. Despite its name, the condition is not limited to athletes but frequently affects individuals engaged in repetitive wrist flexion and forearm pronation, such as manual laborers and musicians. Medial epicondylitis is significantly less prevalent than lateral epicondylitis, typically affecting adults aged 30–60 years, predominantly in the dominant arm. Repetitive stress, valgus overload, and microtrauma to the flexor-pronator muscle group result in tendon degeneration, angiofibroblastic hyperplasia, and, in some cases, ulnar nerve involvement. Diagnosis is primarily clinical, supported by physical tests such as resisted wrist flexion and forearm pronation. Imaging modalities assist in confirming the diagnosis and ruling out differential pathologies, including medial collateral ligament insufficiency, ulnar neuritis, and intra-articular lesions. Preventive measures include ergonomic optimization, proper technique in sports and occupational tasks, and progressive strengthening of the wrist flexors and pronators. Conservative treatment remains the mainstay, with success rates of 60–90%. Rest, physiotherapy emphasizing eccentric strengthening, and load management form the basis of management. Adjunctive therapies such as corticosteroid injections, platelet-rich plasma, and extracorporeal shockwave therapy may be used, though long-term superiority over natural recovery is unproven. Surgical intervention is reserved for chronic, refractory cases and includes open, percutaneous, or arthroscopic debridement, sometimes combined with ulnar nerve decompression.