Is my right‑hand elbow pain lasting a month, worsening with wrist extension and improving with a brace, consistent with tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) given my history of irritable bowel syndrome?

Yes, your symptoms are highly consistent with tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)

Based on your presentation of right-hand dominant elbow pain lasting one month that worsens with wrist extension and improves with a brace, you almost certainly have lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow). Your history of irritable bowel syndrome is unrelated and does not affect this diagnosis 1.

Why This Is Tennis Elbow

Your clinical presentation matches the classic pattern described in guidelines:

• Pain location and duration: Lateral elbow pain persisting for weeks to months 1
• Provocative activity: Pain worsening with wrist extension is pathognomonic for lateral epicondylitis, as this condition specifically involves the common extensor tendon origin 1, 2
• Brace response: Improvement with bracing strongly supports the diagnosis, as orthotics work by reducing strain on the affected extensor tendons 1, 3
• Demographics: Lateral epicondylitis affects men and women equally, most commonly after age 40, and involves the dominant arm 75% of the time 1

Key Clinical Features to Confirm

You should have:

• Tenderness directly over the lateral epicondyle (bony prominence on outer elbow)
• Pain with resisted wrist or finger extension
• Pain radiating down the dorsal (back) forearm 2
• Normal elbow range of motion

Your IBS Is Irrelevant

The irritable bowel syndrome mentioned in your history has no relationship to lateral epicondylitis. These are completely separate conditions affecting different organ systems 4.

Recommended Management Algorithm

Continue the brace - Since you're already experiencing improvement, this validates both the diagnosis and treatment approach 3.

Initial conservative treatment (first 6-12 weeks):

1. Activity modification: Avoid repetitive wrist extension and gripping activities
2. Continue bracing: A wrist extension splint provides superior pain relief compared to forearm straps 3
3. Physical therapy: Focus on eccentric strengthening exercises once acute pain subsides
4. NSAIDs: For pain control during acute phases 1

If no improvement after 6 weeks of conservative care:

• Consider corticosteroid injection for acute phase pain relief (though this doesn't change long-term outcomes) 1

If symptoms persist beyond 3-6 months of well-managed conservative treatment:

• Referral to orthopedic surgery for evaluation 1

Important Caveats

• No imaging needed initially: Your clinical presentation is diagnostic. Radiographs or MRI are only indicated if symptoms don't respond to treatment or if there's concern for alternative diagnoses 5
• 90% success rate with conservative treatment: Surgery should only be considered as a last resort after exhausting conservative options 6
• Avoid single corticosteroid injections as sole treatment: While they provide short-term pain relief, they don't improve long-term outcomes 1

The fact that your brace is already helping is an excellent prognostic sign and confirms you're on the right treatment path.