Successful Tennis Elbow Treatments

 

 

Tennis Elbow Treatments

nitially, to treat tennis elbow, pain can be relieved by applying an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to avoid direct contact with the skin. The ice pack can be applied 20 to 30 minutes each time, and repeated after an interval of one hour.

The arm should rest and you should avoid any moves that lead to pain.

Stretching exercises can help. One particular stretch is very helpful, the wrist must bend as much as possible downward, keeping that hand down with the help of your other hand; in this move the elbow is fully stretched and the forearm is rotated inward so that the “elbow eye” points toward the side. Stretching should be maintained for about 15 seconds and repeated after a short interval. This should be done several times a day.

Bandages and special tennis elbow braces that can be purchased at many sporting good stores occasionally help.

You can find more information on specific stretching and strengthening exercises on our exercises for tennis elbow section; and of course, a doctor or physiotherapist can answer any questions you might have.

In many cases the tennis elbow injury improves on its own without other treatment than resting the arm and maybe taking some anti-inflammatory medication.

Physical therapy, including ultrasound, is effective on many occasions. If symptoms are not resolved, try a local infiltration with corticosteroids and anesthetics; a recent study shows that Botox can alleviate tennis elbow.

In resistant cases it may be necessary to operate to release the tendon from the bone.

Medication

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce pain and inflammation. There are many types available for purchase without a prescription.

Remember that anti-inflammatory drugs can damage the lining of the stomach, so if you have or have had stomach problems, such as ulcer, gastritis or episodes of heartburn, you should consult your doctor before taking medication to prevent complications. Try to always take them with some food.

Tennis elbow treatments vary depending on how much pain you are experiencing and what type of epicondylitis (medial or lateral) you are affected by. For additional information we recommend you read our tennis elbow relief section.