From the Guidelines
To document a sore left elbow that appears to be tendon pain, you should include a detailed description of the pain characteristics, onset, duration, and any aggravating or alleviating factors, as this comprehensive documentation helps establish a baseline for the condition and aids in diagnosis of conditions like lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) or medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow) 1.
When documenting the sore left elbow, consider the following key points:
- Location: Note the specific location of the pain as "left elbow" and describe the quality of pain (sharp, dull, burning, etc.) 1.
- Severity: Document the severity of the pain on a scale of 1-10 and whether it radiates to other areas 1.
- Onset and duration: Record when the pain started, if it was associated with a specific activity or injury, and how long it has persisted 1.
- Aggravating and alleviating factors: Include any factors that worsen or improve the pain, such as specific movements or activities 1.
- Functional limitations: Note any difficulty with gripping, lifting, or extending the arm, as these can be indicative of tendon pain 1.
- Visible signs: Document any visible signs like swelling, redness, or warmth around the elbow 1.
- Tenderness to palpation: Specifically document tenderness to palpation over the tendon areas (lateral epicondyle for tennis elbow or medial epicondyle for golfer's elbow) 1.
- Treatments attempted: Record any treatments attempted and their effectiveness, as this can help guide further management 1.
By including these details in the documentation, you can establish a comprehensive baseline for the condition and aid in the diagnosis and management of tendon pain in the left elbow, ultimately improving patient outcomes in terms of morbidity, mortality, and quality of life 1.
From the Research
Documenting a Sore Left Elbow with Tendon Pain
To document a sore left elbow that appears to be tendon pain, consider the following steps:
- Record the location and quality of the pain, as this can help localize the injury to one of the four anatomic regions: anterior, medial, lateral, or posterior 2
- Note the onset of pain, what the patient was doing when the pain started, and the type and frequency of athletic and occupational activities 2
- Perform a physical examination of the elbow, including special tests, to facilitate improved diagnosis of elbow pathology 3
- Consider the patient's history, including repeated elbow flexion with forearm supination and pronation, which can be a common source of pain in the anterior elbow 2
Common Diagnoses
Some common diagnoses for elbow pain include:
- Lateral and medial epicondylitis, which often occur as a result of occupational activities and are characterized by pain and tenderness over the affected tendinous insertion 2
- Ulnar collateral ligament injuries, which occur in athletes participating in sports that involve overhead throwing 2
- Biceps tendinopathy, which is a relatively common source of pain in the anterior elbow 2
- Olecranon bursitis, which is a common cause of posterior elbow pain and swelling 2
Imaging and Treatment
- Plain radiography is the initial choice for the evaluation of acute injuries and is best for showing bony injuries, soft tissue swelling, and joint effusions 2
- Magnetic resonance imaging is the preferred imaging modality for chronic elbow pain 2
- Musculoskeletal ultrasonography allows for an inexpensive dynamic evaluation of commonly injured structures 2
- Exercise therapy, including strengthening and flexibility exercises, can be an effective treatment for tendinopathy 4
- Corticosteroid injections may be beneficial in the short term for the treatment of tendinopathies, but may be worse than other treatments in the intermediate and long terms 5