HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Jobe, F. Articles by Ciccotti, M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Jobe, F. Articles by Ciccotti, M.

Lateral and Medial Epicondylitis of the Elbow

Department of Orthopaedics, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles.

Epicondylitis of the elbow involves pathologic alteration in the musculotendinous origins at the lateral or medial epicondyle. Although commonly referred to as "tennis elbow" when it occurs laterally and "golfer's elbow" when it occurs medially, the condition may in fact be caused by a variety of sports and occupational activities. The accurate diagnosis of these entities requires a thorough understanding of the anatomic, epidemiologic, and pathophysiologic factors. Nonoperative treatment should be tried first in all patients, beginning with an initial phase of rest, ice, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, and possibly corticosteroid injection. A second phase includes coordinated rehabilitation, consisting of range-of-motion and strengthening exercises and counterforce bracing, as well as technique enhancement and equipment modification if a sport or occupation is causative. Nonoperative treatment has been deemed highly successful, yet the few prospective reports available suggest that symptoms frequently persist or recur. Operative treatment is indicated for debilitating pain that is diagnosed after the exclusion of other pathologic causes for pain and that persists in spite of a well-managed nonoperative regimen spanning a minimum of 6 months. The surgical technique involves excision of the pathologic portion of the tendon, repair of the resulting defect, and reattachment of the origin to the lateral or medial epicondyle. Surgical treatment results in a high degree of subjective relief, although objective strength deficits may persist.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				T. De Smedt, A. de Jong, W. Van Leemput, D. Lieven, and F. Van Glabbeek Lateral epicondylitis in tennis: update on aetiology, biomechanics and treatment Br. J. Sports Med., November 1, 2007; 41(11): 816 - 819. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Mishra and T. Pavelko Treatment of Chronic Elbow Tendinosis With Buffered Platelet-Rich Plasma Am. J. Sports Med., November 1, 2006; 34(11): 1774 - 1778. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. A. Cummins Lateral Epicondylitis: In Vivo Assessment of Arthroscopic Debridement and Correlation With Patient Outcomes Am. J. Sports Med., September 1, 2006; 34(9): 1486 - 1491. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. J. Thornton, J. R. Rogers, W. D. Prickett, W. R. Dunn, A. A. Allen, and J. A. Hannafin Treatment of Recalcitrant Lateral Epicondylitis With Suture Anchor Repair Am. J. Sports Med., October 1, 2005; 33(10): 1558 - 1564. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. S. Chen, A. S. Rokito, and F. W. Jobe Medial Elbow Problems in the Overhead-Throwing Athlete J. Am. Acad. Ortho. Surg., March 1, 2001; 9(2): 99 - 113. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]