Lateral Epicondylitis
- Most common cause of elbow pain
- Overuse syndrome of the common extensor origin, predominantly affecting the extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon
- Known as ‘tennis elbow’ despite 95% of patients not being tennis players
- Degenerative process (tendinosis) resulting from repetitive microtrauma rather than an inflammatory process as implied by the name
- Complete rupture of the common extensor origin is rare
- Abnormal thickening and increased signal intensity at the common extensor origin and peritendinous edema
- MR shows focal T2 hyperintense fluid within partial thickness undersurface tendon tears
- Lateral epicondyle bone marrow edema may be seen
- May be associated with injury to the radial collateral ligament
- Although uncommon, the symptoms of radial nerve entrapment can closely mimic those in lateral epicondylitis and should be considered when there is a strong history with no associated MRI findings
- Sonin AH, Fitzgerald SW, Hoff FL et al. MR imaging of the posterior cruciate ligament: normal, abnormal, and associated injury patterns. Radiographics 1995; 15(3):551-61
- Fanelli GC, Edson CJ. Posterior cruciate ligament injuries in trauma patients: part II. Arthroscopy 1995; 11:526-529
- Rodriguez W Jr, Vinson EN, Helms CA, Toth AP. MRI appearance of posterior cruciate ligament tears. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2008 191;4:155-159
- Sonin AH, et al. Posterior cruciate ligament injury: MR imaging diagnosis and patterns of injury. Radiology 1994;190:455-458
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