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网球肘

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) — causes, symptoms, and conservative treatment options for pain relief.

Updated Oct 2026
一幅手绘插图,描绘了一个没有面孔的人正在打网球反手击球。
网球肘:前臂肌腱附着于肘部外侧处的炎症。 Kieran Hirpara 4.0

本页面由机器翻译,尚未经临床医生审核。英文版本为权威版本。

您的感受

网球肘会导致肘部外侧疼痛,疼痛位于该处一个称为肱骨外上髁的骨性突起上或其周围。疼痛常向下放射至前臂,有时也会向上扩散至上臂。疼痛通常由需要前臂背侧肌肉用力的活动引发,因为这些肌肉共用位于该骨性突起处的同一个附着点。

疼痛程度可从轻微、偶发到持续、剧烈不等。严重时,疼痛可能影响您所有的日常活动。它还可能影响您的睡眠。许多人发现疼痛在活动后或醒来时加剧。

需要扭转或抓握的日常事务会变得困难。转动门把手、拿咖啡杯、握手或提水壶都可能诱发疼痛。您的肘部通常仍能完成全范围的活动,所以问题不在于僵硬,而在于疼痛。

对大多数人来说,网球肘会自行缓解。约90%的人发现,无需手术,症状在一年内即已缓解。您不必急于接受任何治疗。

有些迹象需要尽早处理。如果您的症状没有缓解、在数周内不断加重、在夜间把您痛醒,或使您无法工作或使用手或手臂,请咨询您的全科医生或要求专科医生评估。

实际发生了什么

疼痛部位是肌腱附着于肘部外侧骨骼的地方。肌腱是连接肌肉与骨骼的坚韧条索。此处涉及的肌腱沿前臂背侧向下走行,并共用位于该骨性突起处的同一个附着点。

尽管名为网球肘,但它其实并不是一种炎症问题。在显微镜下检查肌腱时,组织显示的是磨损和纤维散乱,而不是肿胀和发红。可以把它想象成一根用久了的绳索:部分纤维已经断裂,绳索尝试自我修复,但修复并没有真正完成。所形成的修复组织杂乱无序,且比原来的组织更弱。这就是为什么该部位持续有压痛,以及为什么抓握或扭转会引起疼痛:这些动作会直接牵拉受损的条索。

它的医学名称是肱骨外上髁炎,您也可能看到它被称为肘外侧肌腱病。这两个名称描述的是同一回事:该肌腱附着处因反复使用而磨损。它在肘部外侧远比内侧常见,这就是为什么网球肘这一名称通常指的是这个部位。

损伤位于这组肌腱中的某一条特定肌腱,即在您抓握时稳定手腕的那条肌腱。由于所有伸展手腕的前臂肌肉都共用这一个附着点,当您使用手部时,该处的疼痛会向下扩散至前臂。

其他情况也可能在同一部位引起疼痛,而且并不总是容易区分。这就是为什么对您的肘部进行仔细的体格检查很重要,也是为什么有时会使用扫描来检查磨损的程度。这种病症还可能使您对关节位置的感知略受影响,物理治疗可以帮助改善这一点。

关键在于:肌腱是磨损了,而不是被毁坏了,只要给予时间和适当的负荷,组织仍有自我修复的能力。

我们可以采取的措施

Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton 的上肢外科医生 Kieran Hirpara 医生会从适合您病情的最微创方案入手。患者通常由全科医生转诊至我们的诊所;如果理疗师建议您就诊,您仍需获得全科医生的转诊,才有资格享受 Medicare 报销。在就诊时,我们会采集病史,检查您的肘部,并且仅在扫描会改变我们的处理方案时才安排扫描。对于这类长期存在的问题,我们通常先尝试非手术治疗,仅在其未能带来足够改善时才考虑手术。

第一步是改变您给肌腱施加负荷的方式。也就是说,减少会诱发疼痛的抓握和扭转动作,然后通过循序渐进的负荷训练方案让肌腱重新强健起来。物理治疗的目的是让您更快地度过疼痛的数月,而不是改变最终结局,因为无论如何,大多数肘部都会随着时间推移而好转。请给它真正、长期的尝试,以月为单位来衡量。正如您在本页前文所读到的,十个肘部中约有九个无需手术即可在一年内好转,这就是我们为手术设定高门槛的原因。

我们在此不将皮质类固醇(可的松)注射作为默认治疗。可能的原因是,疼痛在肌腱愈合之前就已缓解,于是您又开始给尚未准备好的肌腱施加负荷。如果考虑注射,那也是一个关于短期功能的审慎决定,而不是常规步骤。其他注射,例如富血小板血浆或从您自己手臂抽取的血液,不推荐用于这种病症。

只有对于在真正尝试非手术治疗后仍存在功能障碍的少数人,才会考虑手术。手术会清除肌腱附着于肘部外侧骨骼处的磨损、毛糙部分。手术可通过小的钥匙孔切口或一个小的开放切口完成,目前没有哪一种方法被证明优于其他方法。是否手术是一个共同的决定,在您了解手术内容以及恢复对您的要求之后,由我们一起做出。

预期情况

对大多数人来说,网球肘的病程缓慢但稳定。症状往往在数月而非数日内逐渐减轻,其规律通常是逐步好转,期间伴有反复发作。所需时间与您患病多久无关:已经疼痛一年的肌腱,与只疼痛了几个月的肌腱,缓解的可能性是一样的。

您已经读到了关键数据:十个肘部中约有九个无需手术即可在一年内好转。这是一个实事求是的起点,无论您什么都不做、遵循负荷训练方案,还是尝试其他非手术治疗,都是如此。治疗能够改变的是过程,而不是终点。一个良好的方案旨在让您更舒适地度过疼痛的数月,而肌腱则在背后慢慢完成修复。

如果您的肘部属于少数在真正尝试非手术治疗后仍然疼痛的情况,手术仍然可以带来真正的缓解。

术后恢复是循序渐进的。疼痛最先改善,随后握力以及用手完成日常事务的信心会在数周至数月内恢复。术后手部治疗由 Extend Rehabilitation 的 Ruby Doolan 负责;她将指导您进行锻炼,并为您制作所需的任何夹板。

少数人在术后仍有疼痛,约1.5%的人需要再次手术。术前接受过三次或更多次注射会增加这一可能性。如果您的症状没有缓解、在数周内不断加重、在夜间把您痛醒,或使您无法工作或使用手或手臂,请咨询您的全科医生或要求专科医生评估。

何时就医

大多数网球肘会自行好转,十个肘部中约有九个无需手术即可在一年内好转。但有些迹象表明是时候寻求帮助了。如果您的疼痛在几个月后仍未缓解、正在加重、在夜间把您痛醒,或使您无法工作或正常使用手和手臂,请咨询您的全科医生或要求专科医生评估。患有这种病症的人中,约五分之一的人疼痛严重到限制其工作和日常生活,所以需要帮助并不罕见。如果您已经在肌腱处接受过三次或更多次注射,而疼痛仍然限制着您,请要求专科医生评估,因为这一病史会改变外科医生需要与您讨论的内容。

深入探讨

Advanced reading: the deeper science (optional)

本节内容超出了您自身治疗决策所需的范围。网球肘值得额外阅读,因为它是那些在第一个月感觉最有效的治疗方法,到年底时效果反而最差的病症之一。

该病症大多会缓慢自愈

若不予干预,网球肘通常会自行缓解。在下文讨论的试验中,被随机分配至单纯观察组(未接受注射或物理治疗)的患者在52周时接受再评估,62例中有56例(90%)报告症状显著改善或完全康复 [1]。

这一数据是衡量所有治疗手段的基准。只有当干预措施的效果优于自然恢复时,才具有价值,而自然恢复通常是最终结果。

皮质类固醇悖论

一项里程碑式的随机对照试验比较了皮质类固醇注射、物理治疗以及单纯等待,并对受试者进行了为期一年的随访 [1]。

在六周时,注射效果看起来极佳。注射组报告成功率为 65 人中的 51 人(78%),而等待组为 60 人中的 16 人(27%),需治数为 2 [1]。

随后情况发生逆转。在早期成功者中,65 人中的 47 人(72%) 随后出现病情反复。到 52 周时,注射组在所有结局指标上均显著差于物理治疗组,并且在三项主要指标中的两项上差于未采取任何措施的人群 [1]。

作者自己的解释值得重申:注射迅速缓解疼痛,导致人们在肌腱实际上尚未愈合的情况下恢复负荷。该试验的结论是,在网球肘中皮质类固醇“应谨慎使用”,对于大多数人预期会提供的这种治疗而言,这是一个引人注目的说法。

这就是为什么在此处进行注射是一个关于短期功能的审慎决策,而非默认选项,也是为什么它不能替代负荷训练方案的原因。

那么,哪些措施值得采取

在六周时,物理治疗在所有指标上均优于等待观察;到52周时,两组已无法区分,因为两组中几乎所有人都已康复 [1]。因此,其价值在于让您更快地度过疼痛的数月,而非改变最终结局。值得注意的是,物理治疗组在过程中寻求的额外治疗也更少 [1]。鉴于此,合理的方案是负荷管理和渐进性肌腱训练,并接受以月为单位的时间线。

手术仅保留给极少数在真正且长期尝试非手术治疗后仍存在功能障碍的患者。设定这一高门槛的原因正是上述自然病程:若过早手术,您将与一种在十例中有九例本会自行缓解的疾病相竞争。

培养肌腱细胞注射

您可能被提供,或可能阅读到,自体肌腱细胞植入术(ATI,在澳大利亚以 OrthoATI 的名称销售),即注射您自身在实验室中培养的肌腱细胞。它是安全的,在生物学上是合理的,且在顽固性网球肘中报告的疗效持续了四年多。此外,在全球文献中,它仅由五项研究支持,这五项研究共包含 50 名患者,其中没有一项设有对照组。将其与上述自然病程相对照,谨慎对待的原因便显而易见。关于已知与未知内容的完整说明(含参考文献),请参见 自体肌腱细胞植入术 页面。

参考文献

[1] Bisset L, Beller E, Jull G, Brooks P, Darnell R, Vicenzino B. 网球肘的运动中松动术与锻炼、皮质类固醇注射或观察等待:随机对照试验。BMJ. 2006;333(7575):939. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.38961.584653.ae


Evidence & references

This is the clinical evidence summary written for health professionals. It is technical, and it lists the research this page was built from. You do not need to read it to understand your treatment or to make a decision about it.

Overview

  • A 2018 review provides an overview of current concepts regarding the diagnosis and treatment of tennis elbow and its impact on work participation [1].
  • The term "Tennis Elbow" is considered inaccurate by some authors, and the diagnosis is often made too quickly, which may explain high rates of recalcitrant complaints due to insufficient consideration of differential diagnoses [3].
  • Most published literature on the nonoperative treatment of lateral tennis elbow consists of poorly designed trials with nebulous selection criteria and low patient numbers [2].
  • Based on placebo or no-treatment control arms of randomized trials, approximately 90% of people with untreated tennis elbow achieve symptom resolution at 1 year [5].
  • Pooled data from randomized controlled trials indicate a lack of intermediate- to long-term clinical benefit after nonsurgical treatment of lateral epicondylitis compared with observation only or placebo [12].
  • Systematic reviews have been unable to reach conclusions regarding the benefit of forearm bracing in tennis elbow [41].
  • Most patients with lateral epicondylitis resolve spontaneously or with standard conservative management, but refractory cases may benefit from interventional therapies or surgical approaches [25].
  • While numerous treatment options exist for epicondylitis, no single universally accepted protocol has emerged [15].
  • There is wide variability in the treatments offered when physiotherapy fails patients with tennis elbow [30].
  • Controversy remains regarding the optimal modality for quickest recovery and the role of surgical intervention for refractory cases of lateral epicondylosis [31].
  • Due to a small number of studies, large heterogeneity in interventions, small sample sizes, and poor reporting of outcomes, there was insufficient evidence to support or refute the effectiveness of surgery for lateral elbow pain [20].
  • Current research evidence suggests that surgery for tennis elbow is no more effective than nonsurgical treatment, based on evidence with significant methodological limitations [53].
  • It is recommended to consider non-invasive techniques such as extracorporeal shock wave therapy prior to surgery in tennis elbow [54].
  • If a good hand therapy program and other nonoperative measures are ineffective, percutaneous tenotomy is a viable surgical option for tennis elbow [14].
  • After surgical treatment for lateral elbow tendonopathy, pain relief and restoration of elbow function can be achieved [8].
  • Denervation of the elbow for the management of tennis elbow is a simple and safe procedure [16].
  • The effectiveness of ultrasound percutaneous tenotomy appears to improve up to 1 year after surgery, making it an emerging viable alternative for the treatment of medial or lateral epicondylitis [51].
  • Recovery from debridement of extensors and drilling of the lateral epicondyle was slow and never immediate, unlike in series where extensors were simply released without decortication of the lateral epicondyle [28].
  • In experienced hands, elbow arthroscopy is a safe modality of treatment for a variety of pathologies [10].

Anatomy & Pathophysiology

Anatomy

  • The pathology of lateral epicondylitis is primarily localized to the origin of the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) [83].
  • The ECRB and extensor digitorum communis (EDC) have tendinous origins and lie deep to the extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL), which has a muscular origin [83].
  • The common extensors lie superficial to the lateral collateral ligament complex proximally and to the supinator distally [83].
  • The ECRB tendon lies superficial to the joint capsule and is therefore accessible arthroscopically [83].
  • The posterior interosseous nerve enters the supinator distal to the radial head [83].
  • Compression of the posterior interosseous nerve at the radial tunnel can coexist with lateral epicondylitis [83].
  • The pathologic process of lateral epicondylitis mainly involves the origin of the extensor carpi radialis brevis but can involve the tendons of the extensor carpi radialis longus and the extensor digitorum communis [84].
  • The anatomic basis of the injury to the extensor carpi radialis brevis origin involves hypovascular zones, eccentric tendon stresses, and a microscopic degenerative response [40].
  • The superficial head of supinator has a biomechanical basis in the aetiology of both lateral epicondylitis and radial tunnel syndrome [101].
  • The common extensor tendon is thicker in men and in the dominant elbow compared to non-dominant elbows [122].

Pathophysiology

  • Lateral epicondylitis is initiated as a microtear, most often within the origin of the extensor carpi radialis brevis [84].
  • The current consensus is that lateral epicondylitis is a degenerative disease rather than primarily an inflammatory condition [18].
  • Histologic studies of lateral epicondylitis show angiofibroblastic hyperplasia [83].
  • Histologic findings in lateral epicondylitis include neovascularization, infiltration by mucopolysaccharide, a disordered collagen scaffold, bone formation, and angiofibroblastic proliferation [83].
  • Inflammation is not usually seen in lateral epicondylitis but is likely present in the early stages [83].
  • The lesion in lateral epicondylitis occurs in a vascular watershed area that is relatively avascular, limiting healing potential [83].
  • Tennis elbow may start as an inflammatory condition but progresses to a degenerative state [4].
  • Tendinosis at initial onset is similar to a stagnant state of fibroplasia [4].
  • The primary lesion of lateral epicondylitis is classically found in the origin of the ECRB, but it can also be seen in the EDC [83].
  • Microscopic findings in lateral epicondylitis show immature reparative tissue that resembles angiofibroblastic hyperplasia [84].
  • Lateral epicondylitis is typically caused by eccentric contractions of the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle during the backhand swing [83].
  • Repetitive exposure to bending and straightening the elbow is a significant risk factor for lateral epicondylitis [121].
  • Self-reported physical exposures involving repetitive and extensive or prolonged wrist bend, twisting, and forearm movements are associated with incident cases of lateral epicondylitis [52].
  • Combined physical exertion and elbow movements are strongly associated with lateral epicondylitis [9].
  • Biomechanical exposure involving the wrist and/or elbow at work is associated with the incidence of lateral epicondylitis [87].
  • Some individuals may have a genetic predisposition to develop tennis elbow [84].
  • Increased MRI signal in the ECRB origin is common in both symptomatic and asymptomatic elbows [66].
  • The presence of hypoechogenicity and bone changes on ultrasound indicates a stressed common extensor origin-lateral epicondyle complex in elbows with lateral epicondylalgia [13].
  • In tennis elbow patients, hand/wrist and shoulder strength and extensor carpi radialis activity are reduced compared to controls [42].
  • Grip force is markedly reduced at the pathological side in tennis elbow patients, with a striking reduction when measured with a straight elbow compared to 90° flexion [105].

Classification

  • The term "Tennis Elbow" is considered inaccurate, and the diagnosis is often made too quickly [3].
  • Insufficient consideration of differential diagnoses may explain high rates of recalcitrant complaints in patients diagnosed with tennis elbow [3].
  • Almost half of patients (46.5%) presenting with lateral sided elbow pain are diagnosed with a condition other than lateral epicondylitis [29].
  • Differential diagnosis of lateral elbow instability should be considered in patients presenting with tennis elbow [11].
  • Accurate diagnosis of medial epicondylitis requires distinguishing it from other elbow conditions [19].
  • There is considerable terminological heterogeneity in the description of lateral elbow pain [50].
  • The lack of clear and recognized diagnostic criteria is associated with the terminological heterogeneity in evaluating and treating patients with lateral elbow pain [50].
  • The presence of hypoechogenicity and bone changes on musculoskeletal ultrasound indicates a stressed common extensor origin-lateral epicondyle complex in elbows with lateral epicondylalgia [13].
  • Tennis elbow is reflective of tendon overuse and failed tendon healing [68].
  • The primary site of the basic underlying lesion in lateral tennis elbow is in the origin of the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) [70].
  • Overuse in the ECRB origin results in microscopic rupture and subsequent tendinous nonrepair with immature reparative tissue [70].
  • The findings of microscopic rupture and nonrepair in the ECRB origin have been termed angiofibroblastic hyperplasia [70].
  • The onset of tennis elbow is hastened by overuse of the arm and elbow, consistent with it being a degenerative disease [18].
  • There is evidence for a possible neurogenic involvement in the pathophysiology of tennis elbow [33].
  • In tennis elbow patients, hand/wrist and shoulder strength are reduced compared to controls [42].
  • In tennis elbow patients, extensor carpi radialis (ECR) activity is reduced compared to controls [42].
  • The Patient Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) is the core outcome for capturing the disability domain in clinical settings and research for lateral elbow tendinopathy [124].
  • The PRTEE and its subscales offer insights into the domains of pain and function in addition to disability [124].
  • Time off work is recommended as an interim measure for measuring participation in lateral elbow tendinopathy [124].
  • Pain-free grip strength is recommended as an interim measure for measuring physical function capacity in lateral elbow tendinopathy [124].
  • A numerical rating scale for pain on gripping is recommended as an interim measure for measuring pain on loading in lateral elbow tendinopathy [124].

Clinical Presentation

Epidemiology and Demographics

  • Lateral epicondylitis is a common, generally self-limiting tendinosis affecting patients aged 35 to 55 years [45].
  • Lateral elbow tendinosis is relatively common, particularly among individuals aged 40 to 49 years [58].

Pathophysiology and Terminology

  • The term 'Tennis Elbow' is considered inaccurate by some authors, and the diagnosis is often made too quickly, potentially explaining high rates of recalcitrant complaints due to insufficient consideration of differential diagnoses [3].
  • Findings are consistent with the hypothesis that tennis elbow is a degenerative disease, the onset of which is hastened by overuse of the arm and elbow [18].
  • There is considerable terminological heterogeneity in the description of lateral elbow pain, associated with the lack of clear and recognised diagnostic criteria [50].
  • The results give further evidence for a possible neurogenic involvement in the pathophysiology of tennis elbow [33].

Risk Factors

  • Self-reported physical exposures that implicate repetitive and extensive/prolonged wrist bend/twisting and forearm movements were associated with incident cases of lateral epicondylitis [52].

Clinical Diagnosis and Examination

  • The diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis was based on self-reported symptoms and clinical signs according to the Japanese Orthopaedic Association guidelines, which include pain in the elbow joint within 2 weeks, pain in the lateral epicondyle region on resisted extension of the wrist with the elbow extended, and tenderness in the lateral epicondyle [79].
  • Physical examination of the elbow should focus on functional anatomy and includes inspection, palpation, range of motion, strength, stability, and special tests [86].
  • Characteristic elements of the history for lateral elbow tendinopathy include pain lifting things from a bag with a pronated hand, turning doorknobs, taking milk from the fridge, shaking hands, taking a laptop out of a bag, and bumping the lateral elbow [86].
  • Physical examination maneuvers to elicit lateral elbow tendinopathy include direct palpation of the ECRB origin, the tennis elbow shear test, pain along with resisted wrist or long finger extension, and the laptop test [86].
  • Almost half of the patients (46.5%) were diagnosed with a diagnosis other than lateral epicondylitis [29].
  • Differential diagnosis of lateral elbow instability in patients presenting with tennis elbow should be considered [11].

Imaging

  • The presence of hypoechogenicity and bone changes on musculoskeletal ultrasound indicates the presence of a stressed common extensor origin-lateral epicondyle complex in elbows with lateral epicondylalgia [13].
  • MRI is used to evaluate lateral elbow tendinopathy if the lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL) is suspected as part of the pathology [86].
  • Ultrasonography is used to evaluate lateral elbow tendinopathy [86].

Investigations

Clinical Diagnosis and Differential Diagnosis

  • The diagnosis of tennis elbow is often made too quickly, which may explain high rates of recalcitrant complaints due to insufficient consideration of differential diagnoses [3].
  • Almost half of the patients (46.5%) presenting with lateral sided elbow pain were diagnosed with a condition other than lateral epicondylitis [29].
  • The physical examination for the elbow is directed by the history and the location of the patient's pain in the anterior, posterior, medial, or lateral aspect of the joint [81].
  • In tennis elbow patients compared to controls, hand/wrist and shoulder strength and extensor carpi radialis (ECR) activity were reduced [42].

Imaging: Ultrasound

  • The presence of hypoechogenicity and bone changes on ultrasound indicates the presence of a stressed common extensor origin-lateral epicondyle complex in elbows with lateral epicondylalgia [13].
  • A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the diagnostic test accuracy of ultrasound for the detection of lateral epicondylitis [46].

Imaging: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

  • Increased MRI signal in the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) origin is common in both symptomatic and asymptomatic elbows [66].
  • The routine use of MRI for the diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis is low, although its use is associated with downstream effects [107].
  • MRI can be used to evaluate ligaments and tendons of the elbow, but it is rarely indicated [78].
  • Magnetic resonance imaging findings in refractory tennis elbows have a relationship to surgical treatment [48].
  • The reliability and validity of magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of chronic lateral epicondylitis has been evaluated [80].

Imaging: Radiography

  • Lateral epicondyle calcifications are much more common in lateral epicondylitis than previously reported, possibly owing to modern digital radiography and magnification [129].
  • Lateral epicondyle calcifications do not appear to be related to clinical factors including patient-reported measures [129].
  • Bony changes at the lateral epicondyle, such as a gunsight type spur, have been described in tennis elbow syndrome [6].

Pathophysiology and Prognosis

  • Tennis elbow is a degenerative disease, the onset of which is hastened by overuse of the arm and elbow [18].
  • Although tennis elbow may start out as an inflammatory condition, it progresses to a degenerative state [4].
  • Based on placebo or no-treatment control arms of randomized trials, about 90% of people with untreated tennis elbow achieve symptom resolution at 1 year [5].
  • The results provide evidence for a possible neurogenic involvement in the pathophysiology of tennis elbow [33].
  • The strength of associations between combined physical exertion and elbow movements and lateral epicondylitis is emphasized in working populations [9].

Treatment

Non-Operative Management

  • Approximately 90% of people with untreated tennis elbow achieve symptom resolution at 1 year based on placebo or no-treatment control arms of randomized trials [5].
  • Lateral epicondylitis is usually self-limited, resolving over a 12- to 18-month period without treatment [55].
  • The available data suggest that lateral epicondylitis often resolves spontaneously, warranting considerable circumspection before embarking on treatment [27].
  • Most patients with lateral epicondylitis resolve spontaneously or with standard conservative management [25].
  • Pooled data from RCTs indicate a lack of intermediate- to long-term clinical benefit after nonsurgical treatment of lateral epicondylitis compared with observation only or placebo [12].
  • Patient education regarding activity modification to reduce exposure to aggravating activity appears to play a crucial role in resolving the pain associated with tennis elbow [4].
  • There is general agreement that exercise is beneficial to treatment outcome for tennis elbow, although there is a lack of evidence to support a particular exercise prescription to increase tolerance for loading the common extensor tendon [4].
  • Painful eccentric exercise has been shown to be effective in the management of chronic mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy, but not insertional Achilles tendinopathy [4].
  • The significant short term benefits of corticosteroid injection are paradoxically reversed after six weeks, with high recurrence rates, implying that this treatment should be used with caution in the management of tennis elbow [37].
  • Corticosteroid injection has little, if any, benefit over placebo and usually does not change the natural history of the disease [75].
  • Recent data suggest that poorer results are seen in the intermediate and long term following corticosteroid injections relative to placebo, and patients who undergo corticosteroid injection may actually be worse at the end of a year [75].
  • Local PRP injections were associated with superior outcomes for reducing pain and improving elbow joint function compared with local corticosteroids treatment for lateral epicondylitis at a follow-up of 6 months [59].
  • Normal saline injections yielded a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in pain and functional outcomes in patients with lateral epicondylitis [97].
  • Peri-articular hyaluronic acid treatment for tennis elbow was significantly better than control in improving pain at rest and after maximal grip testing [56].
  • Iontophoresis treatment was well tolerated by most patients and was effective in reducing symptoms of epicondylitis at short-term follow-up [61].
  • Systematic reviews have been unable to come to any conclusions with regard to the benefit of forearm bracing in tennis elbow [41].
  • Evidence was found for effectiveness of shock wave treatment for tennis elbow under well-defined, restrictive conditions only [60].
  • Non-invasive techniques such as extracorporeal shock wave therapy are recommended to be considered prior to surgery in tennis elbow [54].
  • Nonsurgical treatment is the mainstay of management for lateral epicondylitis, involving options such as rest, physical therapy, and injections [95].
  • The 6 most frequently prescribed nonoperative treatments for lateral epicondylitis by fellowship-trained upper extremity surgeons were home exercise program/stretching (81%), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (75%), steroid injection (71%), counterforce bracing (68%), formal physical therapy (65%), and wrist brace (47%) [104].
  • There is wide variability of treatments offered when physiotherapy fails patients with tennis elbow [30].
  • A high-repetition, low-resistance home exercise program may be useful for the management of lateral epicondylitis [75].
  • Poorer outcomes are seen in patients who complain of severe pain, have concomitant neck pain, are involved in workers’ compensation claims, have concomitant depression, or have poor coping skills [75].

Operative Management

  • There was insufficient evidence to support or refute the effectiveness of surgery for lateral elbow pain due to a small number of studies, large heterogeneity in interventions across trials, small sample sizes and poor reporting of outcomes [20].
  • The literature and clinical experience confirm greater than 90% of people with lateral epicondylitis are successfully treated nonoperatively [36].
  • Individuals with symptomatic tennis elbow who do not respond to rehabilitation and injections may be candidates for surgical intervention [36].
  • Most surgical patients for lateral epicondylitis are in their fifth decade of life (range, 30–63 years), have had symptoms in their dominant arm for an average of 19 months (range, 6–132 months), and have had failure of nonoperative treatment including an average of 3.1 corticosteroid injections with little to no improvement [36].
  • The majority of patients undergoing surgery for tennis elbow have surgery on their dominant elbow, with an average incidence of dominant arm involvement of 74% [36].
  • Percutaneous tenotomy is a viable surgical option if a good hand therapy program and other nonoperative measures are ineffective in treating the patient with tennis elbow [14].
  • For isolated lateral epicondylitis, a percutaneous release performed in the office is an effective treatment for recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis that has failed nonoperative management [63].
  • The effectiveness of ultrasound percutaneous tenotomy for epicondylitis appears to improve up to 1 year after the surgery, making it an emerging viable alternative for the treatment of medial or lateral epicondylitis [51].
  • Recovery after debridement of extensors and drilling of the lateral epicondyle was slow and was never found to be immediate as described in other series of tennis elbow procedures where the extensors were simply released and the lateral epicondyle was not decorticated [28].
  • Good to excellent results have been achieved in 83% to 96% of patients using variations in technique for epicondylitis, with poorer outcomes reported in patients with ulnar nerve symptoms [75].
  • The use of suture anchors to reattach the extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon after debridement and decortication provided significantly better short-term and long-term clinical results compared to traditional elbow arthroscopy and extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon debridement and decortication without anchors [103].
  • Denervation of the elbow for management of tennis elbow is a simple safe procedure [16].
  • Outcomes between open and arthroscopic procedures for lateral epicondylitis are comparable [75].
  • Arthroscopic treatment of lateral epicondylitis is accompanied by an increased risk of neurovascular injury and instability compared with open release of the elbow [75].
  • Failed surgical treatment of lateral epicondylitis is multifactorial, and distinguishing the cause is critical for appropriate management [21].
  • The median time of minimum conservative management before surgery for lateral epicondylitis was six months (IQR 6 months) [98].
  • Surgical intervention for refractory medial epicondylitis often has a high success rate with patients generally demonstrating an improvement in patient-reported outcomes and an encouraging number returning to work with limited complications [23].
  • Chronic elbow dislocation is a rare complication of tennis elbow surgery that can be treated by open reduction and external articular distrator [11].

Complications

Surgical Complications

  • Heterotopic ossification has been reported as a complication following arthroscopic treatment of lateral epicondylitis [35].
  • Recovery after debridement of extensors and drilling of the lateral epicondyle is slow and not immediate, unlike procedures where extensors are simply released without decortication [28].
  • Short-term complication rates appear comparable between open and arthroscopic treatment for lateral epicondylitis [110].
  • In a review of revision surgery for recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis, pathologic changes in the extensor carpi radialis brevis were not addressed in 27 of 35 elbows, and damaged tissue was not completely excised in 7 elbows [102].
  • Three or more preoperative injections is the most significant risk factor for revision surgery after operative treatment of lateral epicondylitis [108].

Diagnostic and Management Complications

  • The diagnosis of tennis elbow is often made too quickly, potentially explaining high rates of recalcitrant complaints due to insufficient consideration of differential diagnoses [3].
  • The term 'Tennis Elbow' is considered inaccurate by some authors [3].

Recovery

Prognosis and Natural History

  • Lateral epicondylitis often resolves spontaneously, warranting considerable circumspection before embarking on treatment [27].
  • Enthesopathy of the extensor carpi radialis brevis origin is a benign, self-limiting disorder with a natural history of spontaneous resolution [72].
  • No treatments have been proven to alter the course of enthesopathy of the extensor carpi radialis brevis origin [72].
  • Poor prognosis at 1 year of follow-up for lateral epicondylitis was related to manual work and high baseline pain [113].
  • No relation was found between the type of medical treatment given or chosen and prognosis for lateral epicondylitis at 1 year [113].
  • The annual incidence of lateral epicondylitis per 10,000 patients and the proportion of cases treated surgically remained constant from 2007 to 2014 [69].

Non-Operative Management

  • The significant short-term benefits of corticosteroid injection are paradoxically reversed after six weeks, with high recurrence rates [37].
  • Corticosteroid injection should be used with caution in the management of tennis elbow due to high recurrence rates after six weeks [37].
  • There is general agreement that exercise is beneficial to treatment outcome for tennis elbow [4].
  • There is a lack of evidence to support a particular exercise prescription to increase tolerance for loading the common extensor tendon [4].
  • It is unclear which interventions may be helpful in pain modulation in chronic tennis elbow [4].
  • It is unknown if commonly used physical agents may resolve the neurochemical response and its associated pain mediation in either acute or chronic tennis elbow [4].
  • Ultrasound and electrotherapy may be used to facilitate tissue healing in tennis elbow [4].
  • Theoretically, ultrasound and electrotherapy may be able to stimulate cellular responses to promote tissue healing in tendinosis [4].
  • Evidence was found for the effectiveness of shock wave treatment for tennis elbow under well-defined, restrictive conditions only [60].
  • Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy, symptom duration of longer than 6 months, and short follow-up duration (less than 24 weeks) were related to better effects in lateral epicondylitis [65].

Operative Management

  • Recovery following debridement of extensors and drilling of the lateral epicondyle was slow and was never found to be immediate [28].
  • Immediate recovery has been described in other series of tennis elbow procedures where the extensors were simply released and the lateral epicondyle was not decorticated [28].
  • No patient exhibited reduced wrist or elbow ranges of motion at follow-up compared with those ranges on the uninvolved opposite side following elongation of the extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon for refractory tennis elbow [43].
  • Due to a small number of studies, large heterogeneity in interventions across trials, small sample sizes and poor reporting of outcomes, there was insufficient evidence to support or refute the effectiveness of surgery for lateral elbow pain [20].

Key Evidence

  • [L4] This review gives an overview of the current concepts of diagnosis and treatment of tennis elbow and the impact on work participation. [1] (10.1177/1758573218797973)
  • [L5] Most of the published literature on the nonoperative treatment of patients with lateral tennis elbow consists of poorly designed trials with nebulous selection criteria and low patient numbers. [2] (10.1016/s1058-2746(99)90081-2)
  • [Letter] The authors agree that the term 'Tennis Elbow' is inaccurate and that the diagnosis is often made too quickly, potentially explaining high rates of recalcitrant complaints due to insufficient consideration of differential diagnoses. [3] (10.1177/1758573218816086)
  • [Paper] [4] (10.1197/j.jht.2006.02.016)
  • [L1] Based on the placebo or no-treatment control arms of randomized trials, about 90% of people with untreated tennis elbow achieve symptom resolution at 1 year. [5] (10.1097/corr.0000000000002058)
  • [L4] [6] (10.1067/mse.2001.112020)
  • [L4] After surgical treatment for lateral elbow tendonopathy, pain relief and restoration of elbow function can be achieved. [8] (10.1053/jhsu.2001.28432)
  • [L4] This study emphasizes the strength of the associations between combined physical exertion and elbow movements and lateral epicondylitis. [9] (10.1002/ajim.22140)
  • [L4] In experienced hands, elbow arthroscopy is a safe modality of treatment for a variety of pathologies. [10] (10.1016/j.arthro.2007.03.080)
  • [L5] Differential diagnosis of lateral elbow instability in patients presenting with tennis elbow should be considered. [11] (10.1016/j.main.2007.05.002)
  • [L1] Pooled data from RCTs indicate a lack of intermediate- to long-term clinical benefit after nonsurgical treatment of lateral epicondylitis compared with observation only or placebo. [12] (10.1007/s11999-014-4022-y)
  • [L4] The presence of hypoechogenicity and bone changes indicates presence of a stressed common extensor origin-lateral epicondyle complex in elbows with lateral epicondylalgia. [13] (10.1186/1471-2342-14-10)
  • [L4] If a good hand therapy program and other nonoperative measures are ineffective in treating the patient with tennis elbow, percutaneous tenotomy is a viable surgical option. [14] (10.1016/s0894-1130(12)80105-0)
  • [L5] This article is a review of recently published information on elbow tendinopathy and tendon ruptures intended to assist clinicians in diagnosis and management, noting that while numerous treatment options exist for epicondylitis, no single universally accepted protocol has emerged. [15] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2009.01.022)
  • [L2] Denervation of the elbow for management of tennis elbow is a simple safe procedure. [16] (10.5435/jaaosglobal-d-24-00352)
  • [L4] The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that tennis elbow is a degenerative disease, the onset of which is hastened by overuse of the arm and elbow. [18] (10.1177/036354657900700405)
  • [L5] Accurate diagnosis requires distinguishing it from other elbow conditions, and treatment is guided by the specific pathologic stage of the tendon. [19] (10.1016/j.csm.2004.04.011)
  • [L1] Due to a small number of studies, large heterogeneity in interventions across trials, small sample sizes and poor reporting of outcomes, there was insufficient evidence to support or refute the effectiveness of surgery for lateral elbow pain. [20] (10.1002/14651858.cd003525.pub2)
  • [L5] Failed surgical treatment of lateral epicondylitis is multifactorial, and distinguishing the cause is critical for appropriate management. [21] (10.1016/j.xrrt.2023.07.006)
  • [L4] Surgical intervention for refractory medial epicondylitis often has a high success rate with patients generally demonstrating an improvement in patient-reported outcomes and an encouraging number returning to work with limited complications. [23] (10.1177/03635465221095565)
  • [L4] Most patients with lateral epicondylitis resolve spontaneously or with standard conservative management, but refractory cases may benefit from interventional therapies or surgical approaches. [25] (10.5397/cise.2019.22.4.227)
  • [L4] Overall, the available data suggest that lateral epicondylitis often resolves spontaneously, warranting considerable circumspection before embarking on treatment. [27] (10.1016/j.otsr.2019.09.004)
  • [L4] However, recovery was slow and was never found to be immediate as described in other series of tennis elbow procedures where the extensors were simply released and the lateral epicondyle was not decorticated. [28] (10.1016/j.jse.2005.07.002)
  • [L3] Almost half of the patients (46.5%) were diagnosed with a diagnosis other than lateral epicondylitis. [29] (10.1016/j.jseint.2024.08.047)
  • [L4] There is wide variability of treatments offered when physiotherapy fails patients with tennis elbow. [30] (10.1177/1758573217738199)
  • [L5] This article serves to provide an updated review of the various treatment options and management for lateral epicondylosis, noting that while most patients experience relief with non-operative management, controversy remains regarding the optimal modality for quickest recovery and the role of surgical intervention for refractory cases. [31] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2024.07.003)
  • [L4] The results give further evidence for a possible neurogenic involvement in the pathophysiology of tennis elbow and in medial epicondylalgia. [33] (10.1016/s0736-0266(03)00183-9)
  • [L4] To our knowledge, we present the first case of HO development after elbow arthroscopy for lateral epicondylitis. [35] (10.1177/1558944716668844)
  • [L4] [36] (10.1097/blo.0b013e3181483dc4)
  • [L1] The significant short term benefits of corticosteroid injection are paradoxically reversed after six weeks, with high recurrence rates, implying that this treatment should be used with caution in the management of tennis elbow. [37] (10.1136/bmj.38961.584653.ae)
  • [L4] [40] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2007.07.019)
  • [L1] Systematic reviews have been unable to come to any conclusions with regard to the benefit of forearm bracing in tennis elbow. [41] (10.1097/bte.0b013e318047c176)
  • [L4] [42] (10.1002/jor.20458)
  • [L4] No patient exhibited reduced wrist or elbow ranges of motion at follow-up compared with those ranges on the uninvolved opposite side. [43] (10.1177/17531934211042318)
  • [L5] Lateral epicondylitis is a common, generally self-limiting tendinosis affecting patients aged 35 to 55 years. [45] (10.1302/0301-620x.95b9.29285)
  • [L2] [46] (10.1016/j.otsr.2014.01.006)
  • [L1] In this SR, a considerable terminological heterogeneity emerged in the description of LEP, associated with the lack of clear and recognised diagnostic criteria in evaluating and treating patients with lateral elbow pain. [50] (10.3390/healthcare10061095)
  • [Paper] The effectiveness of the technique appears to improve up to 1 year after the surgery and hence, is emerging as a viable and attractive alternative for the treatment of medial or lateral epicondylitis. [51] (10.1097/bte.0b013e318291487e)
  • [L2] Self-reported physical exposures that implicate repetitive and extensive/prolonged wrist bend/twisting and forearm movements were associated with incident cases of lateral and medial epicondylitis in a large longitudinal study. [52] (10.1136/oemed-2012-101341)
  • [L1] Current research evidence suggests that surgery for tennis elbow is no more effective than nonsurgical treatment based on evidence with significant methodological limitations. [53] (10.1177/1758573217745041)
  • [L1] We therefore recommend considering non-invasive techniques such as ESWT treatment prior to surgery in tennis elbow. [54] (10.1016/j.hansur.2020.12.008)
  • [L2] Lateral epicondylitis is a condition that is usually self-limited, resolving over a 12- to 18-month period without treatment. [55] (10.1007/s11552-014-9642-x)
  • [L1] Peri-articular HA treatment for tennis elbow was significantly better than control in improving pain at rest and after maximal grip testing. [56] (10.1186/1758-2555-2-4)
  • [L3] The study indicates that lateral elbow tendinosis is relatively common, particularly among individuals aged 40 to 49 years. [58] (10.1177/0363546514568087)
  • [L1] Local PRP injections was associated with superior outcomes for reducing pain and improving elbow joint function compared with local corticosteroids treatment for LE at a follow-up of 6 months. [59] (10.1016/j.ijsu.2019.05.003)
  • [L1] In a qualitative systematic per-study analysis identifying common and diverging details of 10 randomized-controlled trials, evidence was found for effectiveness of shock wave treatment for tennis elbow under well-defined, restrictive conditions only. [60] (10.1093/bmb/ldm019)
  • [L1] Iontophoresis treatment was well tolerated by most patients and was effective in reducing symptoms of epicondylitis at short-term follow-up. [61] (10.1177/03635465030310020601)
  • [L4] For isolated lateral epicondylitis, a percutaneous release performed in the office is an effective treatment for recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis that has failed nonoperative management. [63] (10.1097/00132589-200112000-00003)
  • [L1] Radial ESWT, symptom duration of longer than 6 months, and short follow-up duration (less than 24 weeks) were related to better effects. [65] (10.1097/corr.0000000000001246)
  • [L4] Increased MRI signal in the ECRB origin is common in symptomatic and in asymptomatic elbows. [66] (10.1016/j.jse.2016.01.033)
  • [L4] [68] (10.1016/s0278-5919(03)00051-6)
  • [L4] The annual incidence of lateral epicondylitis per 10,000 patients and the proportion of cases treated surgically remained constant from 2007 to 2014. [69] (10.1007/s11420-017-9559-3)
  • [L4] [70] (10.1097/00132589-200001030-00007)
  • [L5] Enthesopathy of the extensor carpi radialis brevis origin is a benign, self-limiting disorder with a natural history of spontaneous resolution, for which no treatments have been proven to alter the course. [72] (10.5435/jaaos-d-15-00233)
  • [L3] [79] (10.1016/j.jseint.2024.01.008)
  • [L2] The results of this meta-analysis strongly support the hypothesis of an association between biomechanical exposure involving wrist and/or elbow at work and incidence of lateral epicondylitis. [87] (10.1002/acr.22874)
  • [L5] Nonsurgical treatment is the mainstay of management for lateral epicondylitis, involving options such as rest, physical therapy, and injections. [95] (10.5435/00124635-200801000-00004)
  • [L1] NS injections yielded a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in pain and functional outcomes in patients with lateral epicondylitis. [97] (10.1177/0363546519899644)
  • [L4] [98] (10.1016/j.xrrt.2024.08.008)
  • [L5] This study demonstrates a biomechanical basis for the superficial head of supinator in the aetiology of both lateral epicondylitis and radial tunnel syndrome. [101] (10.1016/j.jhsb.2004.06.001)
  • [L5] [102] (10.1016/j.csm.2004.06.004)
  • [L1] [103] (10.1097/bte.0000000000000027)
  • [L4] [104] (10.1177/1558944718770212)
  • [L4] Grip force was markedly reduced at the pathological side, but there was also a striking reduction of the grip force at the pathological side when the grip force was measured with a straight elbow, compared with the standard position of 90° flexion. [105] (10.1016/s0894-1130(97)80026-9)
  • [L3] Although there is variation in the use of MRI for lateral epicondylitis and its use is associated with downstream effects, the routine use of MRI for the diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis is low. [107] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2023.03.025)
  • [L4] [108] (10.1016/j.jse.2016.10.022)
  • [L3] Surgical management of lateral epicondylitis varies depending on surgeons' fellowship training, and short-term complication rates appear comparable between open and arthroscopic treatment. [110] (10.1016/j.arthro.2017.04.078)
  • [L2] Poor prognosis at 1yr of follow-up for lateral epicondylitis was related to manual work and high baseline pain, whilst no relation was found between the type of medical treatment given/chosen and prognosis. [113] (10.1093/rheumatology/keg360)
  • [L4] Repetitive exposure to bending/straightening the elbow was a significant risk factor for medial and lateral epicondylitis. [121] (10.1093/rheumatology/ker228)
  • [L3] This study presents the US characteristics and normal values of the CET, finding that the tendon was thicker in men and in the dominant elbow with no difference regarding age groups. [122] (10.1177/2325967117704186)
  • [Paper] [124] (10.1136/bjsports-2021-105044)
  • [L4] Lateral epicondyle calcifications are much more common in lateral epicondylitis than previously reported, possibly owing to modern digital radiography and magnification, although they do not appear to be related to clinical factors including patient-reported measures. [129] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2017.03.016)

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