Tennis and golfers elbow
Patient Information
https://patient.info/bones-joints-muscles/tendinopathy-and-tenosynovitis-tendinosis/tennis-elbow
GP Information
Background Information
- Tennis Elbow is lateral elbow pain due to minor or unrecognized trauma of the forearm extensor muscles.
- Patients typically complain of lateral elbow pain radiating down the forearm.
- Examination reveals localized tenderness on palpation over and/or distal to the lateral epicondyle and pain reproduced by resisted wrist extension / supination.
Investigation Guidelines
- Investigations are not required for treatment or referral for suspected tennis elbow.
Management Recommendations
- Avoid exacerbating activities.
- Offer NSAIDs (topical advised).
- Corticosteroid injections have been shown to be detrimental in the long term and should not be performed.
- Physiotherapy (Exercise, Massage, USS, Laser therapy) successful in over 90% of patients.
- Orthosis (e.g forearm band) – useful in cases of functional impairment. Often in conjunction with physio.
- Surgery may be indicated when 6-12 #months of conservative measures have failed.
- Referral indications:
- Diagnostic uncertainty, Considering steroid injection, Need for formal physiotherapy, Failure of conservative measure after minimum 3 months.