How to Diagnose Tennis Elbow
The diagnosis is made on the basis of a thorough history of physical and instrumental examination. In most patients, it is possible to relieve the inflammatory process by prescribing a short course of NSAIDs and using orthoses. Treatments also include injections of autologous blood or platelet-rich plasma, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, iontophoresis, and phonophoresis with drugs that penetrate deep into tissues.
In addition, the rehabilitation program includes measures that contribute to a gradual increase in muscle strength, elasticity, and functionality, in order to restore the ability to work or the ability to continue playing sports. In rehabilitation, it is important to eliminate any biomechanical disorders that could lead to the initial trauma.
Despite the fact that conservative treatment is often successful, sometimes there is a need for instrumental examination methods, such as MRI or ultrasound [7]. These studies are necessary to verify the presence of calcifications, the degree of tendon damage, the presence of bone growths, and when planning surgical treatment. Differential diagnosis is sometimes necessary for lateral epicondylitis with fracture, osteoarthritis, tunnel syndrome. If medial epicondylitis is suspected, medial osteoarthritis, medial ligament injury, and ulnar neuropathy should be ruled out, although these conditions may occur concurrently with epicondylitis.