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Epicondylitis

Julie A Creech, DO, CAQSM and Caleb Weiss Kiesow, M.D., B.S. Reviewed 05/2023
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Tendinopathy of the elbow characterized by pain and tenderness at the myotendinous junctions or tendinous insertions of the wrist flexors/extensors at the humeral epicondyles.

  • Though ...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Insidious onset

  • Pain localized to lateral or medial elbow, at or just distal to bony epicondyle

  • Aching pain, often radiates from epicondyle to forearm or wrist

  • Pain with gripping

  • Sensatio...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

Initial treatment consists of activity modification, counterforce bracing, oral or topical NSAIDs, ice, and physical therapy. 
  • If left untreated, symptoms typically last betwe...

ONGOING CARE

PROGNOSIS

Good: Majority resolve with conservative care. 

REFERENCES

1
Pattanittum  P, Turner  T, Green  S, et al. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for treating lateral elbow pain in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. &#...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Cullinane  FL, Boocock  MG, Trevelyan  FC. Is eccentric exercise an effective treatment for lateral epicondylitis? A systematic review. Clin Rehabil. ...

SEE ALSO

Algorithm: Pain in Upper Extremity 

CODES

ICD10

  • M77.00 Medial epicondylitis, unspecified elbow

  • M77.10 Lateral epicondylitis, unspecified elbow

  • M77.01 Medial epicondylitis, right elbow

  • M77.02 Medial epicondylitis, left elbow

  • M77.12 Lateral ep...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Medial epicondyle tendinopathy (MET, golfer’s elbow) is characterized by pain and tenderness at the tendinous origins of the wrist flexors on the medial epicondyle.

  • Lateral epicondyle t...

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