What are the types of tennis elbow?

Lateral epicondylitis (LE), also called tennis elbow, is a condition that occurs when the tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the outside of the elbow are overloaded, causing pain on the outside of the elbow.

There are two types of lateral epicondylitis:

* Acute lateral epicondylitis occurs when the tendons are suddenly overloaded, such as when a person plays tennis for the first time in a long time. This type of lateral epicondylitis usually goes away with rest and ice.

* Chronic lateral epicondylitis occurs when the tendons are overloaded over a long period of time, such as when a person plays tennis regularly. This type of lateral epicondylitis can be more difficult to treat and may require physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, or even surgery.

Medial epicondylitis (ME), also called golfer's elbow, is a condition that occurs when the tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the inside of the elbow are overloaded, causing pain on the inside of the elbow.

Medial epicondylitis is less common than lateral epicondylitis, but it is treated in a similar way.