eMedicine Specialties > Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation > Upper Limb Musculoskeletal Conditions

Lateral Epicondylitis: Follow-up

Author: Consuelo T Lorenzo, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Alegent Health Care, Immanuel Rehabilitation Center
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jul 24, 2009

Follow-up

In/Out Patient Meds:

Deterrence/Prevention:

  • To avoid a recurrence of lateral epicondylitis, the etiology of the condition must be considered. Job modifications may be necessary and may be facilitated by a job site evaluation. Investigation into avocational activities also is necessary, because contributing factors to this condition may be identified. In addition, adherence to a home exercise program is important in preventing a recurrence of lateral epicondylitis.

Prognosis:

  • Patients who present acutely (<3 mo) generally respond well to treatment. Chronic cases that are refractory to treatment may take months to resolve.

Patient Education:

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • When proceeding with a corticosteroid injection, be sure to obtain informed consent. The potential complications must be fully explained to the patient, especially the risk of tendon rupture, as well as of subcutaneous atrophy, bleeding, infection, allergic reaction, and skin discoloration.
  • If treating a work-related injury, be sure that the alleged mechanism of injury is plausible and is indeed work-related. Always include a history of vocational and avocational activities that could contribute to the person's symptomatology.
 


More on Lateral Epicondylitis

Overview: Lateral Epicondylitis
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Lateral Epicondylitis
Treatment & Medication: Lateral Epicondylitis
Follow-up: Lateral Epicondylitis
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

tennis elbow, lateral elbow tendinitis, lateral elbow tendonitis, elbow overuse syndrome

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Consuelo T Lorenzo, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Alegent Health Care, Immanuel Rehabilitation Center
Consuelo T Lorenzo, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Daniel D Scott, MD, MA, Associate Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center
Daniel D Scott, MD, MA is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Paraplegia Society, Association of Academic Physiatrists, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and Physiatric Association of Spine, Sports and Occupational Rehabilitation
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Managing Editor

Patrick M Foye, MD, FAAPMR, FAAEM, Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Co-Director of Musculoskeletal Fellowship, Co-Director of Back Pain Clinic, Director of Coccyx Pain Service (Tailbone Pain Service: www.TailboneDoctor.com), University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School
Patrick M Foye, MD, FAAPMR, FAAEM is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, Association of Academic Physiatrists, and International Spine Intervention Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Kelly L Allen, MD, Regional Medical Director, IMX-Medical Management Services
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Rene Cailliet, MD, Professor-Chairman Emeritus, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Southern California School of Medicine; Former Director, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Santa Monica Hospital Medical Center
Rene Cailliet, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pain Medicine, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Pain Society, Association of American Medical Colleges, International Association for the Study of Pain, and Pan American Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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