| What do doctors call this condition? | | | | How is it diagnosed? |
| Epicondylitis, epitrochlear bursitis | | | | Because X-rays are almost always negative, the |
| What is this condition? | | | | doctor depends on the person's reports of pain while |
| Tennis elbow is a painful inflammation of the forearm | | | | playing tennis or a similar activity. The pain can be |
| extensor tendon fibers at the point where they | | | | reproduced by having the person move his or her |
| attach to the upper arm (humerus) adjacent to the | | | | wrist in a manner similar to that used when swinging |
| elbow joint. | | | | a racket. |
| What causes it? | | | | How is it treated? |
| Tennis elbow probably begins as a partial tear on the | | | | Treatment aims to relieve pain, usually by local |
| involved tendon and is common among tennis players | | | | injection of corticosteroid and a local anesthetic and |
| and other persons whose activities require a forceful | | | | by taking aspirin or Indocin. Supportive treatment |
| grasp, wrist extension against resistance, or frequent | | | | includes an immobilizing splint from the forearm to the |
| rotation of the forearm. Left untreated, the condition | | | | elbow, which generally relieves pain in 2 to 3 weeks. |
| can become disabling. | | | | Some doctors use heat therapy, such as warm |
| What are its symptoms? | | | | compresses and ultrasound, and physical therapy, |
| The first symptom is elbow pain that gradually | | | | such as manipulation and massage. |
| worsens and often radiates to the forearm and back | | | | A "tennis elbow strap" has helped many people. This |
| of the hand whenever the person grasps an object | | | | strap, which is wrapped snugly around the forearm, |
| or twists his or her elbow. Other symptoms are | | | | helps relieve the strain on affected forearm muscles |
| tenderness over the joint and a weak grasp. In rare | | | | and tendons. If these measures prove ineffective, |
| instances, tennis elbow may cause local heat, swelling, | | | | surgical release of the tendon at the hand may be |
| or restricted range of motion. | | | | necessary. |