Treatment and Prevention
More than 90% of people respond to conservative treatment. Very few people require surgery for tennis elbow.
Conservative or non-surgical treatment for tennis elbow involves:
- rest
- ice for 20 minutes up to six times daily. Do not put ice directly on the skin. Put a towel or washcloth between the ice and skin. Instead of ice cubes or chips, use frozen peas in a plastic bag.
- anti-inflammatory medications to help relieve pain symptoms
- tennis elbow strap to reduce strain on the tendon
- physiotherapy to reduce pain and inflammation
- a steroid injection into the affected area.
Your physician may recommend a steroid injection to relieve pain. The injection provides relief for up to three months and is seldom used more than two or three times per ear.
Once pain has stopped or improved, physiotherapy exercises will stretch tightened muscles and strengthen the tendon and muscles in the forearm. Massage may also help.
Although initially thought to be promising, ultrasound and laser treatments seem to be of questionable benefit.
If conservative treatments have not worked after 6 to 12 months, surgery may be recommended. Surgery is 85% effective for relieving the pain.
Recurrence of tennis elbow can be prevented by using braces to support the wrist, changing technique or equipment, or modifying jobs and activities if possible. Warming up before sporting activities will help prevent problems, too. Gently stretch the forearm and wrist before performing any sport or activity that can cause or aggravate tennis elbow.