The lateral epicondyle is the lateral prominence of the distal humerus serving as the origin of the common extensor tendon (ECRB, EDC, EDM, ECU) and the lateral collateral ligament complex. It is the site of lateral epicondylalgia (tennis elbow), the most common cause of elbow pain in adults, from overuse degeneration of the ECRB origin.
| Articulations |
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|---|---|
| Landmarks |
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| Ossification | The lateral epicondyle (E in CRITOE, External epicondyle) appears last at age 11 to 12 and fuses with the humerus at age 13 to 15. |
Lateral epicondylalgia (tennis elbow) produces lateral elbow pain at the ECRB origin reproduced by resisted wrist extension (Cozen test) and passive wrist flexion (Mill test). Histology shows angiofibroblastic hyperplasia rather than classical inflammatory tendinitis. Conservative management with eccentric wrist extension loading, corticosteroid injection, and PRP injection are effective. Surgical ECRB debridement is performed for truly refractory cases after 6 months of conservative management.
Bend the elbow to 90 degrees and feel on the outer side for a small bony prominence above the elbow crease; this is the lateral epicondyle. The common extensor tendon origin lies just in front of and below it and is the tender spot in tennis elbow.
Degeneration of the common extensor origin, especially extensor carpi radialis brevis, causing lateral elbow pain with gripping.
A common paediatric elbow fracture involving the lateral condyle and epicondyle that often needs fixation to avoid non-union.
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