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Epicondylitis

Julie A Creech, DO, Brooke Organ, DO and Sabrina L. Silver, CAQSM, DO Reviewed 06/2021
 


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 c...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Insidious onset

  • Pain localized to lateral or medial elbow

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

  • Pain with gripping

  • Sensation of mild forearm weakness

PHYSICAL EXAM

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
Aydın  A, Atiç  R. Comparison of extracorporeal shock-wave therapy and wrist-extensor splint application in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis: a prospective ra...

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

  • ME (golfer’s elbow) is characterized by pain and tenderness at the tendinous origins of the wrist flexors at the medial epicondyle.

  • LE (tennis elbow) is characterized by pain and tender...

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