- Medial Epicondylitis / Golfers Elbow -
(Micro tears of Flexor Tendons at Medial Elbow)

• Symptoms: Pain directly on the medial epicondyle located on the inside of the elbow (tenoperiosteal junction where tendon attaches to bone), or 1-2 inches below of it on the tendon (musculotendinous junction where muscle and tendon attach together). Weakness and pain on the inside of the elbow when the hand/wrist is flexed against resistance. Pain on the inside of the elbow when trying to flex/bend the fingers against resistance or when gripping an object (Shaking hands).
  
• Cause of Symptoms: Injury is caused by direct or repeated hyperextension of the flexor muscles, causing micro tears, irritation and inflammation to the soft tissues. These micro tears usually occur because the flexor muscles are extremely tight and restrictive from constant overuse, and if forced into hyperextension, the tendons give at their weakest point, which are the musclulotendinous junction ( Where muscle and tendon attach together) and the tenoperiosteal junction ( Where tendon attaches to bone).
  
• Treatment of Symptoms: For this type of injury, some flexion exercises are recommended in order to strengthen the areas where the micro tears occurred, but is equally important to create overall muscle balance and stability around the entire joint. To help create this balance and reduce further injury when the wrist is hyperextended, FLEXTEND® can help increase the length/mobility of the flexor muscles and to shorten/strngthen the extensor muscles. If you lengthen one muscle group without shortening the opposing muscle group, the muscle will return to its original length. The gentle stretching and strengthening exericses allowed with the use of FLEXTEND® can help increase strength and stability around the elbow joint.