Question

You are evaluating a 30 year old patient with right elbow pain radiating into the forearm. The patient works as a bagger at a grocery store and reports his pain began 6 months ago after carrying a heavy box at work. The patient reports his pain is located on the medial side of the elbow and is worsened with prolonged gripping and carrying grocery bags. Which of the following diagnoses is MOST likely to be accurate for this patient?

Select one:
a. Tendinopathy of the wrist flexors
b. Biceps tendinopathy at proximal insertion
c. Biceps tendinopathy at distal insertion
d. Lateral epicondylalgia

Answer 1

The patient's medial elbow pain likely indicates tendinopathy of the wrist flexors, commonly known as medial epicondylitis or golfer's elbow, caused by repetitive movement and overuse in his job.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient's presentation of medial elbow pain that worsens with prolonged gripping and carrying suggests a diagnosis of tendinopathy of the wrist flexors, also commonly known as medial epicondylitis or golfer's elbow. Given that the pain is located on the medial side of the elbow and is exacerbated by activities involving the use of the wrist flexors, which originate from the medial epicondyle of the humerus, this diagnosis is more likely than biceps tendinopathy at either the proximal or distal insertion or lateral epicondylalgia, also known as tennis elbow, which affects the lateral side of the elbow.

Tendinitis is an inflammatory condition that can be diagnosed through clinical examination, and is commonly seen in individuals whose jobs or activities involve repetitive movements. In this patient's case, regularly carrying heavy bags could easily lead to overuse of the wrist flexors and medial elbow, resulting in tendinopathy.