Evidence-based treatment of common extensor tendinopathy

Abstract

Common extensor tendinopathy, or tennis elbow, is the most common cause of lateral elbow pain. While most cases are self-limiting, a percentage will become chronic and lead to substantive time away from work and sport. There is no clear consensus on timing and choice of modality for treatment. There are a multitude of treatment options available including watchful waiting, physical therapy, topical nitroglycerin, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, corticosteroid injection, prolotherapy, neovessel sclerosis, autologous growth factor injections, percutaneous needle tenotomy, and surgery. This article presents a comprehensive review of the current literature on the treatment of common extensor tendinopathy