TENNIS ELBOW

Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis is due to an irritation of the muscles and tendons that extend your wrist. This group of muscles originate from the outside aspect of the elbow.  Tennis elbow can develop even if you do not play tennis. 

Symptoms include elbow pain with activities involving gripping, picking up objects, or extending your wrist.

The diagnosis is based on physical exam findings.

Most cases of tennis elbow will resolve over the course of several months to a year.  A special type of arm band or steroid injections can help with pain relief.  Physical therapy modalities can also be beneficial. If pain persists despite the above measures, surgery to debride the irritated tendon can help. 

The images below are from the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.  Click here to go to their Tennis Elbow page.