There are several conditions that can be commonly misdiagnosed as tennis elbow. One such condition is cervical radiculopathy, which occurs when there is compression of a nerve root in the neck. This compression can cause pain to radiate down the arm and into the elbow and forearm, mimicking the symptoms of tennis elbow.
Another condition that can be mistaken for tennis elbow is subacromial impingement. This occurs when the tendons of the rotator cuff become irritated and inflamed as they pass through a narrow space in the shoulder joint. The pain from subacromial impingement can radiate down the arm and into the elbow, leading to a misdiagnosis of tennis elbow.
Rotator cuff tears can also cause pain to radiate into the upper arm and outer elbow, leading to a misdiagnosis of tennis elbow. A tear in one of the tendons of the rotator cuff can cause weakness and pain in the shoulder, which can then radiate down the arm and into the elbow.
Arthritis in the shoulder joint can also cause pain to radiate into the upper arm and outer elbow. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other forms of arthritis can cause inflammation and joint degeneration, leading to pain that can be mistaken for tennis elbow.
It is important to note that while these conditions can cause pain in the elbow and forearm, they are treated differently than tennis elbow. Treatment for cervical radiculopathy may involve physical therapy, medication, and in some cases, surgery to relieve the compression on the nerve root in the neck. Subacromial impingement, rotator cuff tears, and arthritis in the shoulder may also be treated with physical therapy, medication, and in some cases, surgery.
There are several conditions that can be commonly misdiagnosed as tennis elbow, including cervical radiculopathy, subacromial impingement, rotator cuff tears, and arthritis in the shoulder joint. It is important to accurately diagnose the underlying cause of elbow and forearm pain in order to provide appropriate treatment and prevent further complications.