Tracy Beckerman: Getting Played by Tennis Elbow, Golfer's Knee and Swimmer's Ear

Tracy Beckerman recounts a doctor visit where three “sports” problems get attached to her body—despite her saying she doesn’t play those sports. After questioning a sore elbow, the doctor identifies tennis elbow as a repetitive-injury condition. The same appointment also finds “golfer’s knee” after knee exam maneuvers. Beckerman then mentions an aching ear; the doctor laughs and labels it swimmer’s ear, linking it not to swimming but potentially to frequent headphone use. She describes disbelief, then receives prescriptions for physical therapy for her elbow, an MRI for her knee, and ear drops, plus routine blood work, a cholesterol check, and a colonoscopy.