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. 2011 Jun 8:2:53-9.
doi: 10.2147/OAJSM.S10310. eCollection 2011.

Management of tennis elbow

Linda S Chesterton  1 , Christian D Mallen, Elaine M Hay
Affiliations

Management of tennis elbow

Linda S Chesterton et al. Open Access J Sports Med. .

Abstract

Clinical question: What is the best treatment for tennis elbow?

Results: Despite a wealth of research, there is no true consensus on the most efficacious management of tennis elbow especially for effective long-term outcomes. Corticosteroid injections do show large pain-relieving effects in the short term but are associated with risks of adverse events and long-term reoccurrence. Advice with a "wait and see" approach is recommended as the first-line treatment in primary care for most cases. In the medium term physiotherapy and or low-level laser therapy may be effective.

Implementation: Rule out alternative diagnosis. Onward referral may be indicated if the condition does not resolve after 12 months.

Keywords: corticosteroids; laser therapy; physiotherapy; tennis elbow.

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