Muscles
Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis Trigger Points
Symptom Area: Forearm and Hand
Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis Trigger Points are explored here through their location and referred pain pattern. Muscle knots is an everyday term used for tender muscular spots; myofascial pain describes pain involving muscle and its surrounding connective tissue. Main wrist extensor of the radial side and a central player in lateral epicondylalgia (tennis elbow).
Where you feel it
When the Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis holds active trigger points, you usually notice it as dorsal wrist & hand pain. Where the pain spreads: Pain over the lateral epicondyle radiating down the back of the forearm to the dorsum of the wrist and hand. What often sets it off: Repetitive gripping with the wrist extended, keyboard and mouse work, racquet sports with poor technique or grip size, manual tool use.
Overview
Extensor carpi radialis brevis arises from the common extensor origin at the lateral epicondyle and inserts on the third metacarpal, extending the wrist and providing the stable base every grip depends on. It is the muscle most consistently implicated in lateral elbow pain.
Trigger point locations
A point in the proximal muscle belly a few centimetres distal to the lateral epicondyle, on the dorsal radial forearm.
Referred pain pattern
Pain over the lateral epicondyle radiating down the back of the forearm to the dorsum of the wrist and hand.
Palpation & testing
With the forearm pronated and supported, palpate across the proximal dorsal forearm; resisted wrist extension with the elbow extended increases tension and helps identify the taut band.
Common causes
Repetitive gripping with the wrist extended, keyboard and mouse work, racquet sports with poor technique or grip size, manual tool use.
Self-care & clinical treatment
Grip and wrist extensor eccentric loading, forearm self-massage, ergonomic adjustment of desk and tool grips, temporary counterforce brace. Clinically: needling of ECRB with the wider extensor group, plus cervical and shoulder screening.
Treatment protocol
For Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis, the general protocol applies: sustained pressure release on the taut band, then stretch and active movement in the newly gained range.
Position and palpation: With the forearm pronated and supported, palpate across the proximal dorsal forearm; resisted wrist extension with the elbow extended increases tension and helps identify the taut band.
Regional precaution for clinicians: In the forearm and hand the median nerve at the pronator teres, the ulnar nerve at the cubital tunnel and Guyon's canal, the radial nerve in the supinator arcade and the radial artery at the wrist are all superficial and must be avoided; needles are short and angled away from the neurovascular bundles.
Primary Symptoms
Secondary Symptoms
Related muscles in this region
References
- • triggerpoints.net — reference
Medically reviewed by: Marco Aruffo — physiotherapist since 2006, specialised in myofascial pain · Last reviewed:
