Learn About Medical Conditions

Epicondylitis is a painful inflammation of tendons surrounding an epicondyle.

Tennis elbow refers to an injury to the outer elbow tendon. Golfer’s elbow is an injury to the inner tendon of the elbow. These conditions can also occur with any activity that involves repetitive wrist turning or hand gripping, such as tool use, hand shaking, or twisting movements. Carpenters, gardeners, painters, musicians, manicurists, and dentists are at higher risk for these forms of tendinitis.

Pain occurs near the elbow, sometimes radiating into the upper arm or down to the forearm. Another name for tennis elbow is lateral epicondylitis. Golfer’s elbow is also called medial epicondylitis.

What treatments are available?

Treatment focuses on healing the injured tendon. The first step is to reduce pain and inflammation with rest, compression, elevation, and anti-inflammatory medicines. Ice may also be used in acute injuries, but most cases of tendinitis are considered chronic, and ice is not helpful.

Activity involving the affected joint is also restricted to encourage healing and prevent further injury.

The therapist may use ultrasound (gentle sound-wave vibrations) to warm deep tissues and improve blood flow. Iontophoresis may also be used. This technique introduces ionic medicinal compounds into the body through the skin directly over the inflamed bursa or tendon by applying a local electric current. These injections of corticosteroid may help some individuals. Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises are added gradually. Massage of the soft tissue may be helpful. These may be preceded or followed by use of an ice pack. The type of exercises recommended may vary depending on the location of the affected bursa or tendon.

See also: Bursitis, Tendinitis Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health