Tennis Elbow
This condition usually affects people in their forties and fifties though it is not uncommon in younger individuals. It is a condition whose cause is unknown and whose natural history is one of spontaneous resolution in the vast majority of cases. It has nothing to do with tennis. The condition is spread equally amongst all occupations including 'sedentary' housewives. The problem presents with pain on the outer aspect of the elbow that is aggravated by manual activities. This can be very severe and interfere with many daily activities. Treatment options are various but none have been shown to make a difference to the natural history of the problem, which is spontaneous resolution usually within 1-3 years of onset of the problem. Steroid injections have for a long time been used for pain relief but a recent study casts doubt upon this 'quick fix' treatment. ( Ref: British Medical Journal Vol 333 (2006) 939-941 ). Some surgeons undertake surgery again, despite evidence that this affects the natural history of this disease. Other causes of pain on the outer aspect of the elbow include entrapment of the radial nerve under the extensor muscles, osteoarthritis of the elbow and osteochondritis dissecans of the elbow joint.
