Epicondylitis is commonly referred to as what?

Epicondylitis is commonly referred to as tennis elbow or golfer's elbow because it specifically refers to inflammation of the tendons around the elbow joint due to overuse. Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) occurs when the tendons that attach to the lateral epicondyle of the elbow are strained, often due to repetitive wrist and arm motions. Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) affects the tendons on the inner side of the elbow.

The term "epicondylitis" is derived from the location of the inflammation (the epicondyles of the humerus) and is characterized by pain and tenderness around the elbow. This condition is frequently associated with activities that involve repetitive arm motions, which is why it is closely associated with sports such as tennis and golf.

In contrast, wrist strain is more focused on injuries related to the wrist itself, while carpal tunnel syndrome refers specifically to nerve compression at the wrist, leading to symptoms in the hand. Repetitive strain injury is a broader term that encompasses various injuries caused by repetitive motion, but does not specifically denote the tendon inflammation occurring in epicondylitis.