TY - JOUR T1 - Elbow pain: a guide to assessment and management in primary care JF - British Journal of General Practice JO - Br J Gen Pract SP - 610 LP - 612 DO - 10.3399/bjgp15X687625 VL - 65 IS - 640 AU - Mustafa Javed AU - Saadia Mustafa AU - Simon Boyle AU - Fiona Scott Y1 - 2015/11/01 UR - http://bjgp.org/content/65/640/610.abstract N2 - Elbow pain is a common presenting symptom in primary care. Pathology can arise from any component of the joint including tendons, bursae, bones, or nerves. It is a commonly dislocated joint, especially in children (‘pulled elbow’). Tendinopathies (lateral and medial epicondylitis) can result from a number of popular sports and activities of daily living. Rheumatoid (inflammatory), post-traumatic, and primary osteoarthritis are three primary patterns of arthritis affecting the elbow.Elbow pain can present in any age group with varying symptom complex (Figure 1).Figure 1. Elbow pain management algorithm. DMARDs = disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. MRI = magnetic resonance imaging. NSAIDs = non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. PRP = platelet-rich plasma. ROM = range of movement. Rx = medication prescribed. USS = ultrasound scanning.Red flagsExclude red flags such as swelling and dislocation following trauma, a tender, swollen joint, or rapidly increasing mass. These require urgent referral to secondary care (Figure 1).Assessment of painA systematic approach towards assessment of nature, onset, and duration of pain and associated symptoms is key to diagnosis. Also ask about exacerbating activities and mechanism of injury.A traumatic onset of elbow pain in dominant arm, localised to lateral epicondyle with occasional radiation to forearm, is characteristic of lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow). It is found in 20–50% of tennis players,1 but is equally common in manual labourers and people caring for young children.Pain worsening with … ER -