How does tennis elbow affect the skeletal system?
Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis is an inflammation of the elbow, according to the Mayo Clinic. It is often caused by repetitive motion from excessive exercise, sporting activities such as tennis, or work-related movements that affect the muscles and skeletal system.SignificanceYour likelihood of developing tennis elbow increases as you age and your tendons, part of the musculoskeletal system, wear down. Tennis elbow can become a disability for some people if they do not get proper treatment.IdentificationTennis elbow occurs when the lateral epidcondyle bone, a prominent bone on the outside of the elbow, rubs against the tendon at the end of the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle in the forearm. Pain usually occurs along the bone about 1 to 2 cm down on the outside forearm.EffectsWhen you have tennis elbow, tiny fibers tear in your tendons. These tears can eventually become worse over time. Some people develop bursitis, which is an inflammation of the bursa sac that lies on top