The elbow is a strong hinge joint that allows flexion and rotation of the forearm. It also is the origin for most of the muscle of the wrist and hand, so is important for function of the arm. Three bones (humerus, radius and ulna) come together at the elbow joint, and where all three bones connect is called the “condyle”. The areas around this connection is called the “epicondyle” (“epi” is Greek for “over” or near”) . A common type of elbow diagnosis is “epicondylitis” (“itis” meaning inflammation), with the portion facing the inside of the body “medial”, or the outside of the body “lateral”. Attached at the condyles are tendons of muscles which connect to the wrist and either flex or extend it.
Therefore another common diagnosis is “flexor” or “extensor” tendonitis depending on which side of the elbow the problem is on (flexor tendons are medial, extensor tendons are lateral). Typically when there is an issue with inflammation of these tendons and the tendon does not heal, it will flip over into “tendonosis”, which is a non-healing condition of the tendon. It is not inflamed anymore but is also not trying to heal, rather the collagen fibers are not repairing faster than they are breaking down so it is considered a degenerative condition. Prolotherapy, PRP Prolotherapy and Biocellular Prolotherapy can help with: medial or lateral epicondylitis (golfers or tennis elbow), extensor or flexor tendonitis/tendonosis or tears, and ulnar collateral or radial collateral ligament tears. Other ligaments around the elbow joint are the annular ligament and the distal biceps and these can also be treated.
