From the Guidelines
Tennis elbow treatment should prioritize conservative measures, including rest, activity modification, analgesia, physical therapy, and corticosteroid injections, as these approaches are associated with significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life 1. When considering treatment options for tennis elbow, it's essential to understand that this condition is a common cause of chronic elbow pain, estimated to occur in 1% to 3% of the population 1. The primary goal of treatment is to alleviate pain, restore function, and improve quality of life. Some key considerations for treatment include:
- Conservative measures such as rest, activity modification, and analgesia, which are often effective in managing symptoms 1
- Physical therapy, including eccentric strengthening exercises of the wrist extensors, which can be highly effective in improving function and reducing pain 1
- Corticosteroid injections, which may provide short-term relief for persistent pain, although their use is generally limited due to potential tendon weakening 1
- Imaging studies, such as radiographs and MRI, which can aid in diagnosis and guide treatment decisions, particularly in cases where surgery may be indicated 1 The most effective treatment approach for tennis elbow is a multimodal one, incorporating a combination of these conservative measures, with surgery reserved for severe or refractory cases 1.
From the Research
Treatment Options for Tennis Elbow
The treatment options for tennis elbow can be categorized into conservative and surgical methods.
- Conservative treatment is the initial approach and is successful in up to 90% of cases 2.
- Modalities such as patient education, physiotherapy, use of splints, anti-inflammatory medication, complementary medicine, and eventually local injections are all acceptable treatment methods 2.
- Physical methods, including immobilization, ultrasound, low energy laser, electrotherapy, thermotherapy, and massages, can be used as initial treatment 3.
- Autologous blood injections and platelet-rich plasma injections are also used in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis, although more research is needed to determine their effectiveness 4.
Physiotherapy Techniques
Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in the treatment of tennis elbow, focusing on pain management, functional recovery, and recurrence prevention 5.
- Manual treatments, such as joint mobilizations, soft tissue massage, and myofascial release, can be used to treat pain and improve joint function 5.
- Exercise rehabilitation, including eccentric training and progressive resistance exercises, can help strengthen weak muscles and improve the biomechanics of the elbow joint 5.
- Modalities such as ultrasound, laser therapy, and cryotherapy can also be used in physiotherapy treatment 5.
Surgical Treatment
Surgical treatment should be used only as a last resort, and both open and arthroscopic methods are acceptable with excellent results 2.
- Surgery is considered when physical treatments have failed and symptoms still persist 3.