Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow: Epicondylitis

Abstract

Epicondylitis is a common cause of elbow pain typically affecting adults between the ages of 40 and 50. Lateral epicondylitis, often referred to as “tennis elbow,” is more prevalent than medial or “golfers elbow.” Epicondylitis is encountered equally amongst men and women as a result of overuse. Repetitive stressors on the elbow from wrist flexion and extension results in micro-trauma and tears to the pronator-flexor mass or extensor mass. Patient history is usually consistent with hobbies that require repetitive flexion/extension of the elbow and wrist. With pure epicondylitis, imaging studies are negative for occult fractures and dislocations, resulting in a clinical diagnosis. On exam, patients are often tender over the affect epicondyle or just distally. Treatment options include ice, rest, activity modification, NSAIDS, bracing, physical therapy, and steroid injections. In the rare circumstance where nonoperative treatment fails, debridement of the pathologic tissue may be performed with decortication of the involved epicondyle.