Epicondylitis (tennis or golfer's elbow)

Epicondylitis is characterized by a chronic inflammation of the tendon attachments at the outer or inner epicondylus of the elbow. Mostly, there is also a degeneration (natural ageing process) making treatment difficult. Not only tennis players or golfers are affected, as the name might suggest, but people performing a lot of work using their hands, whether in their private or professional lives. In particular people with a computer workplace who often use the mouse have this pain, but also patients carrying out heavy work or repeated movements such as the driving of screws or similar work.

Conservative treatment

If epicondylitis is treated at an early stage, it is generally possible to ease the pain quickly.
Local measures such as friction massages, iontophoresis, and careful stretching and toning up of the muscles affected after easing the pain will lead to improvement. During this phase, rest is important. In addition, as a prophylactic measure, the workplace may be equipped with supporting tools. This includes mouse pads with a small gel cushion and gel bars at the keyboard resulting in relief for the overstrained finger and wrist extensor muscles.
In case of constant strain, wearing an epicondylitis bandage is useful.
Injections with a local anesthetic with corticoid added should only be administered in case of acute and heavy pain and only temporarily since the cortisone may damage the tendon tissue in the long term.
Immobilizations using a cast are unpopular with the modern patients and are certainly not compatible with our challenging work and recreation environment.