Medial epicondylitis, commonly known as golfer's elbow, involves inflammation of which structures?

Medial epicondylitis, commonly known as golfer's elbow, involves inflammation of which structures?

• A. Extensor carpi radialis longus
• B. Pronator teres and flexor carpi radialis
• C. Flexor digitorum profundus
• D. Brachialis

Answer: (B)

Medial epicondylitis is a tendinopathy of the common flexor tendon at the medial epicondyle, caused by repetitive use of the wrist flexors and forearm pronators. The structures most involved are those that originate from that tendon, notably the pronator teres and flexor carpi radialis. Inflammation of these tendons at the medial epicondyle leads to the typical pain with resisted wrist flexion and with forearm pronation, and tenderness over the medial elbow. The other options don’t fit the usual pattern. The extensor carpi radialis longus is a lateral-elbow structure involved in tennis elbow rather than golfer’s elbow. Flexor digitorum profundus originates from the ulna and interosseous membrane, not from the medial epicondyle. Brachialis attaches to the ulna and mainly flexes the elbow, not the wrist, and again isn’t a medial epicondyle flexor.

Medial epicondylitis is a tendinopathy of the common flexor tendon at the medial epicondyle, caused by repetitive use of the wrist flexors and forearm pronators. The structures most involved are those that originate from that tendon, notably the pronator teres and flexor carpi radialis. Inflammation of these tendons at the medial epicondyle leads to the typical pain with resisted wrist flexion and with forearm pronation, and tenderness over the medial elbow.

The other options don’t fit the usual pattern. The extensor carpi radialis longus is a lateral-elbow structure involved in tennis elbow rather than golfer’s elbow. Flexor digitorum profundus originates from the ulna and interosseous membrane, not from the medial epicondyle. Brachialis attaches to the ulna and mainly flexes the elbow, not the wrist, and again isn’t a medial epicondyle flexor.