ARTICLE
As the name common flexor implies , these muscles are involved with flexion . The three muscles of the wrist flexor group all cross the wrist joint anteriorly , so they flex the hand at the wrist joint . The flexor digitorum superficialis crosses the wrist joint anteriorly and the MCP and proximal IP joints of fingers 2-5 ( index , middle , ring , and little ) anteriorly , so it flexes the hand and fingers . The pronator teres pronates the forearm at the radioulnar joints . And all five golfer ’ s elbow muscles cross the elbow joint anteriorly , so they all flex the elbow joint as well ( Figure 3 ).
Common Flexor / Pronator Extensor / Supinator Tendons
The common flexor tendon is sometimes referred to as the common flexor / pronator tendon because the pronator teres is one of the involved muscles and is not involved in wrist or finger flexion ; but does do forearm pronation at the radioulnar joints . In fact , even the flexor carpi radialis crosses the radioulnar joints and can pronate the forearm , so including the word pronation in the name of this common tendon is even more rightfully justified .
Similarly , the common extensor tendon can be referred to as the common extensor / supinator tendon because the extensor carpi radialis brevis can assist forearm supination . Also , although the supinator is not technically part of this common tendon , it also attaches onto the lateral epicondyle of the humerus , immediately adjacent to the attachment of the common extensor / supinator tendon . And given the possible inclusion of the word belly to these terms , we would have the common flexor / pronator belly / tendon and the common extensor / supinator belly / tendon !
Figure 3 . Bones and joints of the upper extremity , right side . ( Permission Dr . Joe Muscolino . Kinesiology – The Skeletal System and Muscle Function , 3rd edition . Elsevier , 2015 )
Clavicle
Scapula
Humerus
Ulna
Radius
Any of these joint actions of flexion of the wrist , fingers , and forearm ; and pronation of the forearm places a stress on the myofascial tissue of the musculature of this group , as well as its attachment onto the medial epicondyle of the humerus where all their common tendinous attachment is located . Even though golfer ’ s elbow was originally described for its periosteal inflammation of the humeral attachment ; before the humeral inflammation occurred , golfer ’ s elbow involved common flexor tendinopathy ; and before the tendinopathy occurred , golfer ’ s elbow began as an overuse and tightness of the muscular tissue of the muscles involved . So , what was originally named as a condition of a bone , was before that a condition of the tendon , and before that , actually on overuse condition of musculature . This factor is often missed in allopathic treatment of this condition .
Anterior view |
Carpals
Metacarpals
Phalanges
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Posterior view |
Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is nearly a mirror opposite of golfer ’ s elbow . Whereas golfer ’ s elbow involves five muscles that all attach onto the medal epicondyle of the humerus , tennis elbow involves four muscles that all attach onto the lateral epicondyle of the numerus . The four muscles of the tennis elbow group are the extensor carpi radialis brevis , extensor digitorum , extensor digiti minimi , and the extensor carpi radialis brevis ( Figure 4 ). The
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86 | vol27 | no2 | JATMS