From the Guidelines
Tennis elbow treatment should begin with relative rest, icing, and eccentric strengthening exercises, as these methods have been shown to promote healing and pain relief 1. The goal of treatment is to reduce pain and inflammation, promote healing, and improve function.
- Relative rest is essential to prevent further damage and promote healing, as recommended by the American Family Physician 1.
- Icing the affected area for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours can provide acute relief of tendinopathy pain 1.
- Eccentric strengthening exercises, such as wrist extensions and flexions, can help reverse degenerative changes and promote healing 1.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen can be used for short-term pain relief, but they have no effect on long-term outcomes 1.
- Wearing a counterforce brace just below the elbow can help reduce strain on the injured tendon during daily activities.
- For persistent cases, a healthcare provider might recommend corticosteroid injections, platelet-rich plasma therapy, or in rare cases, surgery 1. It is essential to address the underlying cause of tennis elbow by modifying activities that trigger pain, as this can help prevent further injury and promote long-term recovery 1.
From the Research
Treatment Options for Tennis Elbow
- Conservative treatments for tennis elbow include steroid injections, NSAIDs, topical creams, platelet-rich plasma, physical therapy, and kinesiotaping 2
- A conservative treatment program with a high success rate includes relieving inflammation and pain, promoting the healing process, exercises for strength and flexibility, and reducing overload forces 3
- Physiotherapeutic rehabilitation plays a significant role in the treatment of tennis elbow, and can be used in conjunction with rest, injectables, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs if pain does not subside 4
Effectiveness of Treatment Options
- Injection therapies, such as autologous blood and platelet-rich plasma, have been shown to be effective in treating tennis elbow 5
- Physical therapy has also been demonstrated to be a valuable conservative treatment modality 5
- Acupuncture and shock wave therapy have been shown to be ineffective in treating tennis elbow 5
- The use of steroid compounds is controversial due to the high recurrence rate of side effects and structural tissue changes associated with steroid therapy 6
Other Treatment Modalities
- Classical acupuncture, ultrasound, and low level laser have been suggested as potential therapeutic means in the treatment of tennis elbow, with some studies providing evidence of their effectiveness 6
- However, further studies with appropriate epidemiological design are needed to substantiate the effectiveness of these modalities 6