Introduction
Tennis elbow typically doesn't lead to serious problems. However, if left untreated, it can result in a loss of motion or function in the elbow and forearm.
Contact your doctor if you experience:
- Pain that limits your daily activities.
- Persistent pain despite using ice, resting, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain relievers.
- Any weakness or numbness in the hand, which may indicate another injury in the wrist or elbow.
Self-Care at Home
To reduce inflammation and alleviate pain, apply ice to the area twice a day for 20 minutes. You can use a paper cup with frozen water, removing the top rim as it melts. Avoid direct contact between the ice and your skin by wrapping it in a towel.
Rest the affected area to prevent further injury and reduce pain.
Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), aspirin, or naproxen (Aleve) can help in pain relief and healing.
Follow-up
Stick to the prescribed treatment plan for the recommended duration. Ending the treatment prematurely increases the risk of re-injuring the tendon.
If your pain returns after a period of relief, either resume the treatment plan or consult your doctor again.
Prevention
- For tennis players:
- Adjust racquet size: Opt for a midsized racquet. Oversized racquets are popular but can strain the arm and raise the risk of injury.
- Loosen string tension: Higher string tension can increase torque and vibration on the arm, heightening the risk of injury.
- Adjust grip size: Ensure your grip is neither too small nor too large to maintain control and reduce injury risk.
- Check racquet material: Graphite racquets and nylon strings appear to reduce torque and vibration on the arm, lowering the risk of injury.
- Overall:
- Ease into any repetitive motion activity at home or work, and rest at the first sign of pain or soreness.
- Continue strength and flexibility exercises even after pain subsides, before engaging in tennis or other repetitive motions.
Outlook
Approximately 85% of individuals experience pain relief within 12 months of conservative therapy (ice, rest, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications).
For those who don't find relief with conservative therapy, other treatments are available with high effectiveness.
Not following through with a therapy plan leads to a 70% chance of recurrence.