Treating Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is another term for tendonitis that affects the elbow. Tendonitis is a repetitive stress injury, or an injury that results from overuse of tendons and muscles in a specific area. Tennis elbow is caused by overuse of arm, forearm, and hand muscles, which results in elbow pain. While it is a common injury for those who play tennis, athletes in other sports or employees who use vibrating equipment (e.g., a jackhammer) or their forearms during manual labor are also susceptible.
The medical term for tennis elbow is lateral epicondylitis, which stems from the part of the elbow that is affected: the lateral epicondyle, or the bony area on the outside of the elbow where the muscles and tendons of the forearm attach.
Most cases of tennis elbow respond to nonsurgical treatments, and resting the forearm from the activity causing the pain is the most important part of treatment. Rest allows the small tears in the tendon to heal. The length of time you need to rest depends on how severe your condition is. It might be necessary to rest for a few weeks to a few months. In addition to rest, treatments may include:
- Ice: Apply ice to the outside of your elbow as soon as you notice pain. Use for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, several times a day.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen can help relieve pain.
- Corticosteroid medication: Your doctor may inject a corticosteroid at the outside of the elbow to relieve pain and enable you to participate in physical therapy.
- Physical therapy: A physical therapist will prescribe specific exercises to stretch and strengthen muscles and tendons around the injured elbow. Your PT can also teach you new techniques to handle movements that aggravate your condition.
- Counterforce brace: This is an elastic band that wraps around the forearm just below the injured elbow. It may relieve symptoms by spreading pressure throughout the arm instead of putting it all on the tendon.
- Surgery: This is a last resort if other treatment isn’t helpful. Your doctor may recommend surgery if your elbow pain doesn’t improve after 6 to 12 months of rest and rehab, or if you have a large tear in the tendon.
If you have or think you may be experiencing tennis elbow and at-home treatment is not relieving your pain, make an appointment with one of our orthopedists at a Tucson Orthopaedic Institute office near you.