Medial epicondylitis of the humerus

Medial epicondylitis of the humerus, also called injury of the common flexor tendon of the forearm or injury of the ulnar flexor carpi, arises from the common flexor tendon attaching to the medial epicondyle of the humerus. Its pathology is similar to lateral epicondylitis, differing in that it involves injury and tension of the flexor digitorum, flexor carpi and forearm pronator muscles. It mainly presents as pain in the upper medial elbow, sometimes radiating to the medial forearm; in severe cases it may recur with continuous pain, causing generalized weakness and even dropping held objects.

Common Symptoms

Weakness; inability to flex the elbow; elbow pain

Causes

It is mainly caused by repeated traction at the medial epicondyle origin of the forearm flexors, an accumulative injury similar to tennis elbow; because it is common in golfers, students and miners, it is commonly called golfer's elbow, student's elbow or miner's elbow. It often results from a valgus force on the elbow during wrist extension with the forearm in half-pronation, suddenly over-stretching the tense flexor group and injuring the common flexor tendon at its medial epicondyle attachment; or from repeated tense contraction of the flexor carpi and pronator teres during frequent wrist flexion, finger flexion or forearm pronation, long-term traction at the medial epicondyle causing fatigue injury. Acute injury is common in the former, chronic injury in the latter.

Treatment

Medication, surgery, supportive treatment, rehabilitation therapy

Prevention

Professional guidance. Those with mild symptoms may recover spontaneously after a few days or months; if there is recurrent, persistent pain, weakness or sudden dropping of objects, seek medical attention early. In daily life: 1. When playing tennis or badminton, choose light, elastic, high-quality rackets to reduce arm burden. 2. When shopping, use a trolley rather than a basket; when lifting kettles, pouring water, wringing clothes or carrying heavy objects by hand, watch the wrist posture and avoid dorsiflexion. 3. When mopping, bend the legs slightly and drive the shoulders and arms with the power of the legs and waist rather than dragging only with the arms. 4. If symptomatic, reduce workload as much as possible to avoid worsening. In the acute phase: 1. Put small ice cubes in a plastic bag on the painful area and wrap with an elastic bandage for 20 minutes each time; repeat several times and elevate the affected part. 2. Stop work, immobilize locally and rest promptly. In the chronic phase: besides local immobilization, rest, protection, physical therapy, pressure massage and oral NSAIDs, the main treatment is local block, i.e. local infiltration of the tender point with prednisolone plus 2% lidocaine. During block therapy: 1. Avoid injecting the drug into the tendon or subcutis to prevent focal tendon or skin necrosis. 2. Do not block too often; 2-3 sessions are appropriate, 7-14 days apart; if ineffective, seek medical care and switch treatment.

Recommended Department

It is recommended to visit the orthopedic surgery department; before the visit you may first book an appointment and connect with experts through this platform.

Warm reminder: The above information is provided for health education reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek care at a regular hospital in time.