Lateral epicondylitis: New evidence for work relatedness.

Lateral epicondylitis is one of the most common upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders in general practice [1] and in working population [2] with an estimated incidence ranging from 0.3–1.1 per 100 person-years [3]. Its description by Runge in 1873 and Major in 1883 as “Lawn-tennis elbow” was due to its association with the biomechanical injuries in this sport [4]. Recent systematic reviews concluded that there was moderate evidence of an association between epicondylitis and occupational exposure to forceful and repetitive hand activities [5] and [6]. However, the evidence for this association was primarily based on cross-sectional studies. As there was only one prospective study available [7], the causality of the reported association between occupational exposure and the occurrence of lateral epicondylitis has been debated [6]. [...