tennis elbow

Last edited 05/2023 and last reviewed 07/2023

Tennis elbow (also known as lateral epicondylitis, lateral elbow pain, rowing elbow, tendonitis of the common extensor origin, and peritendinitis of the elbow.) is characterised by chronic degeneration at the origin of the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle on the lateral epicondyle of the humerus (1).

  • the suffix “itis” is a misnomer since the pathology is no longer thought to be associated with inflammation
  • it can be described more accurately as a partially reversible but degenerative overuse-underuse tendinopathy (2)

Tennis elbow is one of the most common overuse syndromes seen by primary care physicians (3).

  • the annual  incidence of lateral elbow pain in general practice is 4-7/1000 people with the  peak age being between 35-54 years (4)
  • in the general population the prevalence is 1-3% and affects men and women equally (3)
  • more common in the fourth and fifth decades of life

The condition is usually caused by injury or overuse of the extensor muscles of the forearm (1).

  • usually seen after minor and often unrecognised trauma of the extensor muscles of the forearm (5)
  • overuse causes microtears near the origin of the extensor carpi radialis brevis at the lateral epicondyle of the humerus which leads to fibrosis and the formation of granulation tissue (6)

A review states (7):

  • symptoms of lateral epicondylitis usually resolve within one year with activity modification and watchful waiting
  • current evidence suggests that steroid injections do not offer long term benefit
  • secondary care management may include percutaneous needle fenestration or injections of autologous blood or platelet rich plasma; however, evidence of moderate certainty shows no benefit from these treatments
  • surgical management in refractory cases usually involves open or arthroscopic release of the affected muscle tendon

Reference:

Related pages:

risk factors

clinical features

treatment

radial tunnel syndrome

elbow pain