Radiographic analysis of lateral epicondylitis

Lateral epicondylitis is one of the most commonly diagnosed elbow disorders, but the role of radiographs in clinical evaluation is unclear. The purpose of this study was to review a consecutive series of 294 radiographs in patients diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis to determine whether radiographic findings had an impact on patient management. Standard anteroposterior, lateral, and radiocapitellar views for each elbow were taken at a single upper extremity practice. Sixteen percent had findings present, with the most common being faint calcification along the lateral epicondyle in 20 patients (7%). However, in only 2 of the 294 sets of films did the radiographs alter management. Because patients with lateral epicondylitis are initially managed nonoperatively, obtaining radiographs as an initial step in their evaluation is not necessary. (J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2002;11:156-157)