The epicondyle is a bony bump. There are two particular ones: that present on the humerus, the bone of the arm, on each side of the elbow, and that on the femur at the level of the knee. This part of the bone is used to attach tendons to it and can be damaged by excessive movement.

The epicondyle of the humerus

On the humerus, at the bottom of the forearm bone, you can feel two bumps on each side of the elbow: these are the epicondyles. There is the lateral (on the right) and the medial (towards the body). It is on these two rough protrusions that the tendons of most of the muscles of the forearm and upper arm are attached.

The condyles of the femur

The femur bone is located on the leg, between the thigh and the knee. The condyles, in French (epicondyle is mainly used in English for the femur), are located at the knee. Here again, they are used to attach the tendons at the level of the joint, in order to limit friction during leg movements.

Reattach tendons

The tendons of the arm or leg muscles are attached to the epicondyles.

Reduce friction

By being attached to the side of the bone, rather than directly over it like other bones in the body, epicondyles help relieve friction on the tendons.

Epicondylitis, pain in the elbow, is commonly called “tennis elbow” in English, or “golfer’s elbow” (golf player’s elbow), because it is mainly triggered during the practice of these. sports, but also affects manual workers and other racquet sports. Both golf and tennis require wide, fast and powerful movements using the forearm and elbow. The repetition of these movements, often without a good warm-up of the elbow beforehand, damages the joints.

The latter then rub repeatedly on the epicondyles of the humerus, and trigger tendonitis: the tendons wear out, microtraumas lead to a decrease in their elasticity. Epicondylitis therefore generally appears following numerous micro-injuries, rather than a single strong and intense one.

The tendons concerned are numerous, they include in particular those responsible for the rotation of the hand and the extension of the arm. So it becomes difficult to just hold an object even if the pain is related to the elbow and not the wrist.

You can relieve epicondylitis yourself by following these treatments, or consult a physiotherapist if the pain persists (or for a more effective and faster result).

Put to rest

The first instruction to apply following severe pain in the elbow, indicative of epicondylitis, is immediate rest. It is advisable not to practice sport, and to limit all actions performed by the arm affected by the pain for at least two weeks.

Ice application

To relieve the pain, a small bag of ice cubes can be made and applied to the sore area. Spending this little ice pack for a few minutes a day improves the repair of internal tendons.

massages

In addition to ice, massages are recommended (by a physiotherapist, or a skilled person!) To reduce the pain and again relieve the tension of the tendons. Be careful not to press too hard to not worsen the damage!

Medical treatment

If the pain does not go away, treatment with corticosteroids, hormones naturally secreted by the body (such as cortisone and cortisol) may relieve inflammation caused by epicondylitis.

This treatment must be implemented by a specialist, see with a physiotherapist.

The medical diagnosis of epicondyle problems must be made with a physiotherapist, more able to detect damaged areas of tendons and offer appropriate treatment (such as massages).