Epicondylitis: lateral

Abstract

Lateral epicondylitis is the most common cause of lateral elbow pain in adults. Although it is typically a self-limiting process, there are many nonsurgical and surgical treatment options available if lateral epicondylitis becomes chronic and continues to cause pain. Its common name, tennis elbow, is somewhat of a misnomer because the condition is often work-related and occurs in athletes and nonathletes alike. Acute onset of symptoms occurs more often in young athletes; chronic, recalcitrant symptoms typically occur in older patients. In this review, we describe the pathogenesis and clinical presentation and the nonsurgical and surgical treatment options currently available.