eMedicine Specialties > Sports Medicine > Upper Limb

Lateral Epicondylitis: Follow-up

Author: Bryant James Walrod, MD, Fellow in Primary Care Sports Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin
Coauthor(s): Craig C Young, MD, Professor, Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Community and Family Medicine, Medical Director of Sports Medicine, Sports Medicine Fellowship Director, Medical College of Wisconsin
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jul 23, 2009

Follow-up

Return to Play

Gradual return to play is recommended, with an emphasis on the patient employing improved form to avoid aggravating activities and techniques. The athlete should be able to perform pain-free ROM activities. Continued attention should be placed on a strengthening and conditioning program.

Complications

The most serious complication is complete tendon rupture. Such an injury often causes a palpable defect in the extensors, which results in weakness on attempted wrist extension. Frequently, the treatment of this complication is surgical repair.

Prevention

  • Attention to proper form and technique will decrease the risk of developing tendinosis of the lateral elbow extensor muscles.
  • Proper equipment, (ie, size and weight of racquet, size of grip, dry balls)
  • Improved conditioning, improved core strength
  • Gradual increase in intensity and duration of activity

Prognosis

Although most patients with lateral epicondylitis tend to improve in 9-18 months, they need to be made aware that successful treatment may be a prolonged course. Refractory cases may need surgical intervention.

Education

Advise the athlete on proper technique and equipment. Formal sport lessons may be beneficial to prevent individuals from acquiring bad habits.

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • Misdiagnosis may lead to a medical/legal pitfall.

Special Concerns

 


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 stress syndrome, wrist extensor tendonitis, lateral elbow overuse syndrome, elbow and forearm overuse injuries, coffee cup sign, coffee-cup sign

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Bryant James Walrod, MD, Fellow in Primary Care Sports Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Craig C Young, MD, Professor, Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Community and Family Medicine, Medical Director of Sports Medicine, Sports Medicine Fellowship Director, Medical College of Wisconsin
Craig C Young, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, Phi Beta Kappa, and Wilderness Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Andrew D Perron, MD, Residency Director, Department of Emergency Medicine, Maine Medical Center
Andrew D Perron, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Sports Medicine, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

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

CME Editor

Jon B Whitehurst, MD, Clinical Instructor of Surgery, University of Illinois College of Medicine; Partner and Executive Board Member, Rockford Orthopedic Associates; Orthopedic Chairman, Rockford Memorial Hospital
Jon B Whitehurst, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and Arthroscopy Association of North America
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Sherwin SW Ho, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, Section of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Chicago
Sherwin SW Ho, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and Arthroscopy Association of North America
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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