College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) Practice Exam

What is the suspected condition if a patient has pain on the lateral edge of her elbow that increases with resistance?

1. Medial Epicondylitis

2. Lateral Epicondylitis

3. Radial Tunnel Syndrome

4. Tendon Rupture

The correct answer is: Lateral Epicondylitis

The condition described—a patient experiencing pain on the lateral edge of the elbow that worsens with resistance—strongly indicates lateral epicondylitis, often referred to as tennis elbow. This condition is characterized by overuse of the extensor muscles of the forearm, leading to microtears and inflammation at the common extensor tendon, which attaches to the lateral epicondyle of the humerus. In lateral epicondylitis, activities that require gripping or lifting objects will often elicit pain because these movements involve the overused extensor muscles. The resistance mentioned in the question could relate to resisted wrist extension or gripping actions, which would cause discomfort as the patient stresses the already inflamed area. While medial epicondylitis affects the medial side of the elbow and is associated with similar overuse types of activities, it does not present with lateral elbow pain. Radial tunnel syndrome involves compression of the radial nerve and can lead to similar symptoms but typically includes pain on the lateral side that may radiate down the forearm and is not usually triggered directly by resistance. A tendon rupture would likely produce more acute and severe symptoms rather than behavior patterns associated with resistance in a localized area such as the lateral elbow. Thus, lateral epicondylitis is