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Lateral Epicondylitis, Sports Medicine

Bryant Walrod, MD, CAQSM and Craig C. Young, MD Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Lateral epicondylitis, or lateral elbow tendinosis, is an overuse injury of the forearm and wrist extensor muscles, which causes pain at the lateral elbow.

  • Synonym(s): tennis elbow, c...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Pain pattern: Patients typically report an insidious onset, but they will often relate a history of overuse without specific trauma. Pain can vary from mild (e.g., present only with a...

TREATMENT

  • Acute treatment:

    • Ice after activity

    • Relative rest: Limit activities that cause pain.

    • Anti-inflammatory medications: Consider nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), either topical or by ...

REFERENCES

1
Nishizuka T, Iwatsuki K, Kurimoto S, et al. Efficacy of a forearm band in addition to exercises compared with exercises alone for lateral epicondylitis: a multicenter, randomized, controll...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Bisset L, Paungmali A, Vicenzino B, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials on physical interventions for lateral epicondylalgia. Br J Sports Med.  2005...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • The lateral elbow serves as the origin of the forearm supination and wrist extensor muscles, and thus, elbow pain may result from repetitive use.

  • Histologic biopsies of chronic lateral ...

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