Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, affects millions of people each year. Despite the name, you don’t need to play tennis to develop this condition. It occurs when the tendons on the outside of your elbow become inflamed or damaged due to repetitive motion.
If you’re experiencing sharp pain during activities or a persistent ache, understanding your treatment options can help you recover and return to pain-free movement. From at-home remedies to advanced medical interventions, there are many ways to manage tennis elbow effectively. Schedule an appointment today!
This guide will break down the full spectrum of treatment options to help you find the best approach for your situation.
Conservative Treatment Options
- Rest and Activity Modification
Healing starts with giving your tendons a break. Avoid activities that worsen your pain, or modify how you perform them. For example, if your job involves repetitive motions, take frequent breaks or adjust your technique.
While complete rest isn’t always practical, small changes can make a big difference. You might switch how you grip objects, use your non-dominant hand, or reorganize your workspace to reduce strain on your elbow.
- Ice and Heat Therapy
Ice and heat can help ease symptoms. Apply ice to your elbow for 15-20 minutes several times a day, especially after activities that trigger pain. Ice reduces inflammation and numbs discomfort during the early stages of injury.
Once the initial inflammation subsides, heat therapy can be helpful. Warm compresses or heating pads increase blood flow and relax tight muscles. Alternating between ice and heat is a great way to find relief.
- Over-the-Counter Medications
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen can relieve pain and inflammation. For sensitive stomachs, topical anti-inflammatory creams are an alternative. These deliver medication directly to the painful area with minimal systemic side effects.
Physical Therapy and Exercise-Based Treatments
- Strengthening Exercises
- Strengthening exercises focus on the muscles around your elbow to improve tendon health and reduce strain.
- Eccentric exercises, which slowly lengthen the muscle under tension, are especially effective for tennis elbow.
- Exercises are introduced gradually by your physical therapist, starting with light movements and increasing intensity as pain decreases.
- Consistency is essential for long-term recovery.
- Stretching and Flexibility Work
- Stretching helps maintain flexibility in your forearm muscles and prevents stiffness.
- Focus on wrist flexor and extensor stretches to address tightness that can worsen elbow pain.
- Hold stretches for 30-60 seconds and repeat a few times daily.
- Stretches should feel gentle and never painful.
- Manual Therapy Techniques
- Physical therapists may use hands-on techniques like massage or joint mobilization to reduce pain and improve movement.
- These methods can help break up scar tissue, restore mobility, and improve circulation in the affected area.
Supportive Devices and Equipment
- Braces and Straps
Tennis elbow braces or straps support the injured tendons and reduce strain. These devices wrap around your forearm just below the elbow, altering how forces travel through the tendon.
While helpful for symptom relief, braces are a temporary aid and should not replace other treatments.
- Ergonomic Modifications
Adjusting your workspace or equipment can reduce stress on your elbow and prevent further injury. Consider using ergonomic keyboards, adjusting desk height, or switching to tools with better grips.
Simple modifications, like lifting with both hands or keeping frequently used items within reach, can also make a difference.
Medical Interventions
- Corticosteroid Injections
If conservative treatments fail, corticosteroid injections may provide relief. These anti-inflammatory medications are injected directly into the affected tendon area.
While effective for short-term pain relief, repeated injections can weaken tendons over time. They’re typically limited to a few per year.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
PRP therapy involves injecting concentrated platelets from your own blood into the injured area. These platelets contain growth factors that may promote healing.
Research on PRP for tennis elbow shows mixed results. While some studies highlight its benefits, others find little difference compared to placebo treatments.
- Shock Wave Therapy
Shock wave therapy uses acoustic waves to stimulate healing in damaged tendons. This non-invasive treatment is an option for chronic cases that haven’t responded to other methods.
The procedure requires several sessions and may cause mild discomfort, but it offers hope before considering surgery.
Surgical Options
When Surgery Becomes Necessary
Surgery is a last resort, reserved for severe cases that don’t improve after 6-12 months of treatment. Signs you may need surgery include persistent pain, arm weakness, or failure to respond to other therapies.
Types of Surgery
- Removal of damaged tendon tissue
- Reattachment of healthy tissue to the bone
- Procedure options:
- Traditional open surgery
- Minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques
Take the First Step Toward Relief
If you're experiencing persistent pain or weakness that hasn't improved with other treatments, surgical options may be the solution to restore your function and quality of life. Our expert providers specialize in advanced surgical care and personalized treatment plans to help you recover.
Contact The Center for Bone & Joint Disease today to schedule an appointment. We are here to guide you through every step of the process and offer the specialized elbow care you need to get back to living a pain-free life.
