Tennis Elbow

Diagnosis

Patients who come to Mayo Clinic may or may not have already been diagnosed with tennis elbow. Mayo Clinic's diagnosis involves identifying the cause of pain in the forearm and determining the degree to which the tendons and muscles are affected.

The medical team looks for these signs and symptoms during a clinical exam of the patient:

• Pain that radiates from the outside of the elbow into the forearm and wrist
• Pain when touching or bumping the outside of the elbow
• A weak grip
• A painful grip during certain activities, such as shaking hands or twisting a doorknob

Patients with tennis elbow have varying degrees of pain. In some cases, the pain is so severe that the person cannot use the affected arm. Several tests may be needed to determine whether the patient has tennis elbow or another condition that is causing forearm pain. Tests include:

X-ray — An X-ray may help identify causes other than tennis elbow such as bone fractures or swelling in the elbow joint, which may indicate arthritis.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) — For patients with severe, chronic pain (pain that persists) and limited motion in their arm, an MRI may be needed. An MRI involves the use of magnets and computers to create detailed, three-dimensional images of the area. Mayo Clinic developed a series of MRI devices specifically designed to diagnose injuries and diseases that affect the elbow, forearms, fingers, hands and wrists. The MRIs, named Mayo Clinic BC-10 MRI Coils, making diagnosis easier and more accurate.

Biomechanics and motion analysis — Some patients may be assessed by the Mayo Clinic Biomechanics and Motion Analysis Lab in Rochester, Minn., which can precisely identify how the tendons and muscles are affected by tennis elbow.