Sarcomere length in wrist extensor muscles Changes may provide insights into the etiology of chronic lateral epicondylitis (original) (raw)

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3109/17453679708996695

Abstract

Since the etiology of tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is poorly understood, we studied the anatomical changes in the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) muscle during elbow joint rotation. Specifically, we measured ECRB sarcomere length, using an intraoperative laser diffraction procedure that measures muscle sarcomere length with an accuracy of ± 0.05 |xm. We found an unexpected biphasic response in ECRB sarcomere length as the elbow was rotated from full extension to full flexion. the initial sarcomere length of 3.49 μm, with the elbow extended, was gradually changed to 3.68 μm, 3.34 |xm, 3.81 μrn, and 3.45 um with progressive elbow flexion. Based on the very nonlinear mechanical properties of skeletal muscle, this “double lengthening” of the ECRB during progressive flexion would impose intense eccentric contractions on the muscle itself. Given that eccentric contractions cause muscle injury and subsequent inflammation, these findings may provide insights into the etiology of lateral epicondylitis.

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How to Cite

Lieber, R. L., Ljung, B.-O., & Fridén, J. (1997). Sarcomere length in wrist extensor muscles Changes may provide insights into the etiology of chronic lateral epicondylitis. Acta Orthopaedica, 68(3), 249–254. https://doi.org/10.3109/17453679708996695

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Acta Orthopaedica (Scandinavica) content is available freely online as from volume 1, 1930. The journal owner owns the copyright for all material published until volume 80, 2009. As of June 2009, the journal has however been published fully Open Access, meaning the authors retain copyright to their work. As of June 2009, articles have been published under CC-BY-NC or CC-BY licenses, unless otherwise specified.