Elbow-Lateral Epicondylitis-"Tennis Elbow"

Lateral Epicondylitis or Tennis Elbow is a common cause of pain along the outside aspect of the elbow. Causes include direct trauma to the area as a result of a fall, motor vehicle accident, or work related injury versus overuse as seen in repetitive lifting, carrying, or performing fine manipulations of the hand. Patients complain of point tenderness over the bony prominence along the outside of the elbow - the lateral epicondyle. The pain is exacerbated by activities involving extension of the wrist. These include lifting a suitcase, shaking hands, turning doorknobs, etc. Another common cause for this condition is hitting backhand tennis shots with the wrist in slight extension.

A diagnosis is made readily by focal tenderness along the prominence or lateral epicondyle and into the origins of the extensor muscles of the wrist. Resisted wrist extension also reproduces the patient's pain.

X-ray examinations are usually unremarkable in this condition.

Treatment is directed at relieving the offending cause of pain through rest, combined with ice, anti-inflammatory medication and a stretching and strengthening program for the wrist extensors. Other treatments include a wrist brace to assure rest and a tennis elbow or counter force brace worn around the proximal forearm to take pressure off of the origin of the muscles.

In rare circumstances when patients do not respond to activity modification and conservative methods, surgical intervention is indicated.

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