Elbow Pain

Key points

• Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow): pain and tenderness localised to the lateral epicondyle; worse on resisted wrist extension with the elbow extended, or supination of the forearm with the elbow extended; episodes typically last 6 months to 2 years, with acute pain for 6–12 weeks
• Medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow): pain and tenderness localised to the medial epicondyle; worse on wrist flexion and pronation; may cause ulnar nerve symptoms in around 20% of patients
• Radial tunnel syndrome: due to compression of the posterior interosseous branch of the radial nerve; symptoms similar to lateral epicondylitis but pain tends to be 4–5cm distal to the lateral epicondyle and worse on extending the elbow, pronating the forearm, and flexing the wrist
• Cubital tunnel syndrome: due to compression of the ulnar nerve; tingling/numbness of the 4th and 5th fingers, worse on leaning on the affected elbow
• Olecranon bursitis: swelling over the posterior aspect of the elbow