Background: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses a sophisticated diagnostic system called pattern differentiation, which allows for the tailor-made treatment of individuals.
Objective: This study aimed to identify the commonly used TCM patterns for lateral elbow pain (LEP), as well as the clinical features associated with these patterns.
Method: Journal literature in 15 major Chinese and English databases and textbooks from five medical libraries as well as Chinamaxx were reviewed.
Results: Five hundred and fifty-five full-text journal articles, as well as 465 textbooks, were retrieved for further assessment, but only eight studies and seven books that mentioned LEP patterns could be identified and included in this study. The top four patterns that were identified were the wind-cold-dampness pattern, the qi stagnation and blood stasis pattern, the dual deficiency of qi and blood pattern, and the retained dampness-heat pattern, each of which was associated with unique features that were made up of distinct signs and symptoms.
Conclusions: The unique features identified for each of the major patterns might be the key to understanding TCM individualized treatment based on pattern differentiation. Furthermore, the approach taken in studying TCM pattern of LEP may also be useful for studying the TCM patterns of other musculoskeletal conditions.
Keywords: Traditional Chinese Medicine; acupuncture; epicondylitis; pattern differentiation; systematic review; tennis elbow.