8 ways to cure tennis elbow
- Resting: Resting the affected elbow is of the utmost importance in the treatment of the tennis elbow. It is necessary to avoid activities that can aggravate the condition and make the pain worse. If your work involves carrying heavy weights or doing repeated movements, either take a break or change the technique you use to do the kind of work putting stress on the affected ligaments and tendons.
- Cold packs: Applying cold packs, such as frozen peas or ice wrapped in a cloth, for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day (as needed) can help reduce pain.
- Painkillers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Your doctor will recommend applying topical NSAIDs on the affected area for your tennis elbow. If there is only a mild relief, they can prescribe you anti-inflammatory pills or painkillers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
- Physical therapy: Your doctor may refer you to a physical therapist who will teach you tennis elbow exercises and proper techniques that can provide you pain relief and help restore the movements of the affected area.
- Massage and manipulation can improve blood circulation to the affected arms and help relieve pain and stiffness.
- Strengthening and stretching exercises can help strengthen the muscles around the affected elbow.
- Your physical therapist may ask you to use support, such as a brace, strapping, or splint for a short time.
- Steroid injections: If the mentioned treatments fail to provide relief and the pain is excruciating, your doctor may inject steroid medications into the affected area. The injections may be given under ultrasound guidance to ensure that the medication is correctly injected.
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP injections): PRP is blood plasma that is rich in platelets. The injection can hasten the healing process concerning the tennis elbow.
- Shockwave therapy: Shockwave therapy involves passing high-energy sound waves through the skin to help alleviate pain and improve movement in the affected area. You may be advised multiple sessions depending on the severity of your pain.
- Surgery: Surgery is reserved as the last option when nothing else helps you get relief from the tennis elbow. The surgery for the tennis elbow involves cutting the affected tendon.
Does tennis elbow ever go away?
Tennis elbow, medically called lateral epicondylitis, is a self-limiting condition, which means it is most likely to get better without treatment. The condition usually resolves within six months to two years. Most people fully recover within a year.
The fastest way to cure tennis elbow requires taking medications as prescribed by your doctor and self-care measures, such as making lifestyle modifications.
Can you prevent tennis elbow?
There is nothing yet proven that helps you prevent tennis elbow. However, you can lower your risk of developing the same and avoid your tennis elbow from worsening by practicing self-care. Here is what you can do.
Lifestyle modifications to prevent tennis elbow
- Discontinue the activities that have caused the tennis elbow or are aggravating the pain. You can change the technique of performing those activities.
- Distribute the weight of the objects you pick over your entire arm instead of using only the elbow or wrist for the purpose.
- Do a proper warm-up before workouts or sports activities followed by cooldown exercises. The warm-up should include muscle stretches.
- If you play sports, see if you can replace your heavy sports stuff with the lighter stuff. For example, if you play badminton, use lightweight racquets.
- Perform strengthening exercises that target your forearm muscles.
SLIDESHOW
Pictures of the 7 Riskiest Workout Moves, and How to Improve Them See SlideshowHealth Solutions From Our Sponsors
Medically Reviewed on 4/6/2022
References
Image Source: iStock Images
Walrod BJ. Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow). Medscape. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/96969-overview
Walrod BJ. Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow). Medscape. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/96969-overview
Complete List
Top What Is the Fastest Way to Cure Tennis Elbow Related Articles
Elbow Pain
Elbow pain is most often the result of tendinitis, which can affect the inner or outer elbow. Treatment includes ice, rest, and medication for inflammation. Inflammation, redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness, and decreased range of motion are other symptoms associated with elbow pain. Treatment for elbow pain depends upon the nature of the patient's underlying disease or condition.
Gianetti-Crosti Syndrome on Elbow
Gianotti-Crosti syndrome is a childhood skin condition that caused an itchy, blistering rash. It typically begins on the buttocks and spreads, often to the face and extremities. It's sometimes referred to as papular acrodermatitis of childhood. GCS usually appears while your child is recovering from a viral infection like a respiratory illness or stomach virus. While the blisters can be alarming and the child can have fever and discomfort, there are no lasting effects.
How Do You Inject Lateral Epicondylitis?
Lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, is a painful condition of the elbow due to its overuse or strenuous activity that causes pain in the elbow and arm. A lateral epicondyle injection is performed as an outpatient procedure. Complications include infection, tendonitis (inflammation of the tendon), nerve injury, transient increase in pain, skin discoloration, skin atrophy (wasting), hormonal imbalances, and localized osteoporosis (a medical condition in which the bones become brittle and fragile). Rupture of the tendon because of repeated injections
Is a Muscle Strain the Same as a Muscle Tear?
What is the difference between a muscle strain and a muscle tear?
Muscle Cramps
Muscle cramps are involuntarily and forcibly contracted muscles that do not relax. Extremely common, any muscles that have voluntary control, including some organs, are subject to cramp. Since there is such variety in the types of muscle cramps that can occur, many causes and preventative medications are known. Stretching is the most common way to stop or prevent most muscle cramps.
Muscle Cramps (Charley Horse) and Muscle Spasms
What are the differences between muscle spasms and cramps? Learn about the causes of muscle spasms and cramps (charley horse) in the calf, leg, and more.
Muscle Spasms
Muscle spasms are involuntary muscle contractions that come on suddenly and are usually quite painful. Dehydration, doing strenuous exercise in a hot environment, prolonged muscle use, and certain diseases of the nervous system may cause muscle spasms. Symptoms and signs of a muscle spasm include an acute onset of pain and a possible bulge seen or felt beneath the skin where the muscle is located. Gently stretching the muscle usually resolves a muscle spasm.
What Is the Reduction of Posterior Elbow Dislocation?
The posterior elbow is dislocated when you fall on your extended arm. It is more common in adolescent athletes, particularly those who are engaged in sports such as football and wrestling.
What is Reduction of Radial Head (Elbow) Dislocation?
The reduction of dislocation is a procedure to manipulate the bones back to their normal position. If this is performed externally, that is, without opening the arm, it is known as closed reduction.
Sprains and Strains
An injury to a ligament is called a sprain, and an injury to muscle or tendon is called a strain. Sprains and strains may be caused by repetitive movements or a single stressful incident. Symptoms and signs include pain and swelling. Though treatment depends upon the extent and location of the injury, rest, ice, compression, and elevation are key elements of treatment.
What Is a Posterior Elbow Splint?
A posterior elbow splint is affixed to the arm to stabilize a dislocated elbow. A splint is a type of a medical tool made of rigid material to immobilize a fractured or dislocated bone. A splint usually helps to maintain any part of the body in a fixed position. The most common use of splints is in emergency settings to keep a broken bone in position until it heals or until a doctor can set it with a more comprehensive procedure.
When Are Elbow and Above-Elbow Amputations Performed?
The surgical removal of an elbow or the arm above the elbow joint is called elbow amputation. Elbow and above-elbow amputations may be performed for the following reasons: peripheral vascular disease (PVD), risk factors include diabetes and blood clots, osteomyelitis (an infection in the bones), severe injury or accidents, surgery to remove tumors or infected area from bones and muscles. The complications are generally prevented or successfully managed.