Elbow pain may begin in any of the structures in and around the elbow. These include muscles and nerves as well as spinal vertebrae and the cushioning disks of the neck. Elbow pain may also come from regions near the neck, the shoulder, upper arms and wrist or hand.
ESWT may provide relief where other therapies have failed.
Tennis Elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
Tennis elbow (also known as "shooter's elbow" and "archer's elbow" is a condition where the outer part of the elbow becomes sore and tender. It is commonly associated with playing tennis and other racquet sports, though the injury can happen to almost anybody including golfers. The condition is also known as lateral epicondylitis inflammation of the outside elbow bone
Golfer's Elbow (Medial epicondylitis)
Golfer's elbow, or medial epicondylitis, is an inflammatory condition of the elbow which in some ways is similar to tennis elbow. The anterior forearm contains several muscles that are involved with flexing the fingers and thumb, and flexing and pronating the wrist. The tendons of these muscle come together in a common tendinous sheath which is inserted into the medial epicondyle of the humerus at the elbow joint. In response to minor injury, or sometimes for no obvious reason at all, this point of insertion becomes inflamed. Commonly seem amongst golfers, but some tennis players too.
Minor osteophytes at Elbow
Bone spurs also called osteophytes -- are benign, bony bumps that usually form on the joints surface & margins due to excessive wear, on the elbow joints, the joints that may be affecting movement include: radio-ulnar, radio-humeral and ulnar-humeral joints. Loose bodies may be seen in this joint complex including around the articular surface of olecranon process.
De Quervians tenosynovitis (Mother's wrist)
Pain in the wrist on movement towards the thumb side is called Quervain disease, de Quervain's tenosynovitis, or mother's wrist. It is an inflammation or a tendinosis of the sheath or tunnel that surrounds two tendons that control movement of the thumb due to improper lifting at the wrist instead of elbow. This condition responds well to ESWT as it is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers to consume medication.
Elbow Pain from trigger points
Trigger points are isolated focal points located in a taut band of skeletal muscle. When touched, these trigger point produce pain that may be felt in a location far from the actual point. Trigger point pain often accompanies chronic musculoskeletal disorders or mimic more serious conditions for example trigger points in the neck should or back muscles like may mimic an elbow problem because the elbow falls within the referred pain pattern, trapezius, supraspinatus, latssimus dorsi.