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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffYou're likely to first bring your problem to the attention of your family doctor. He or she may refer you to a sports medicine specialist or an orthopedic surgeon.
What you can do
Before your appointment, you may want to write a list that answers the following questions:
- When did your symptoms begin?
- Does any motion or activity make the pain better or worse?
- Have you recently injured your elbow?
- Do you have rheumatoid arthritis or a nerve disease?
- Does your job involve repetitive motions of your wrist or arm?
- Do you play sports? If so, what types of sports do you play and has your technique ever been evaluated?
- What medications or supplements do you take?
What to expect from your doctor
During the physical exam, your doctor may apply pressure to the affected area or ask you to move your elbow, wrist and fingers in various ways.
References
- Regan WD, et al. Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow). In: DeLee JC, et al. DeLee and Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3143-7..00019-1--sc2&displayedEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3143-7..00019-1--s0145&uniq=213936826&isbn=978-1-4160-3143-7&sid=1037052489. Accessed Aug. 10, 2010.
- Jayanthi N. Epicondylitis (tennis and golf elbow). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 10, 2010.
- Miller RH, et al. Lateral epicondylitis. In: Canale ST, et al. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/214290188-3/1038084588/1584/342.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-03329-9..50047-7--cesec53_2420. Accessed Aug. 12, 2010.
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis). American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00068. Accessed Aug. 10, 2010.
- Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed Aug. 12, 2010.
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