All Orders arrive within 1-2 days

1-800-487-3808 9:00am - 9:00pm EST Daily

0

Your Cart is Empty

Best Ways to Treat Elbow Tendonitis

by Patty Weasler, RN May 29, 2020 0 Comments

Woman wearing Elbow Brace

Elbow tendonitis treatment can range from conservative home treatment to more advanced medical treatment, based on individual need. The key is understanding which treatment path is best for you. In this article, we’ll cover treatment options for elbow tendonitis to get you back to all the activities you enjoy.

Lifestyle Changes & Home Remedies

If you have elbow pain from tendinitis the first line of treatment is to modify your activities and incorporate some lifestyle changes. Below we cover the simple home treatments you can implement to find pain relief.

  • Rest

    The first step in treating medial and lateral epicondylitis, the medical terms for elbow tendonitis, is to rest. The elbow tendon and muscles need time to heal, which is exactly what rest gives them. Avoid lifting heavy objects and playing sports. For people who just can’t stop, resting may be the most difficult treatment option, but it’s one of the most important treatments.

  • Stretches and Exercises

    Once the initial inflammation decreases, it’s time to gently stretch and exercise your forearm muscle. Stretching will help you maintain your range of motion and mobility, whereas strengthening exercises will prevent re-injury. Avoid any movements that cause pain and talk to your doctor or physical therapist if you have any questions about specific movements.

    Stretches and Exercises for Elbow Tendonitis

  • Physical Therapy

    A physical therapist is professionally trained to evaluate your injuries and determine a plan of care specific to your situation. Once your physical therapist has evaluated you, you will be educated on the injury, given instructions on what to do and not to do, and information on a follow-up visit.   

  • Massage

    Massage is an excellent home remedy that not only improves your overall sense of well-being but can make a difference in your elbow tendonitis recovery. Massaging your injury can release scar tissue and adhesions and improve blood flow to the area.

    Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy works well when used in combination with other treatments like massage. A TENS unit is a small, portable device that sends an electrical impulse through wires to adhesive patches. The electrical signal interrupts the pain pathway, providing temporary pain relief.

  • Elbow Braces and Straps

    If you’ve played racquet sports or golf then you’ve likely seen someone wear an elbow brace or strap. These work well for occasional use by applying pressure to the tendon, which can help relieve pain and support the tendon. Braces and straps should be used with other treatment options like rest, exercise, and stretching.

    Need help choosing an elbow brace? Check out this guide.

  • Icing

    Cold works as an anti-inflammatory. By numbing the skin and reducing blood flow it provides pain relief and minimizes swelling. Use an ice pack in 15 to 20-minute intervals on your elbow joint and the surrounding tissue. Icing your injury before and after activity can help minimize subsequent pain. Just be sure never to sleep with an ice pack to prevent cold injury to your skin.

    Click here to learn how to properly apply ice and heat to an injury.

  • NSAIDs

    Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are inexpensive and easy to find at any pharmacy. The medication treats pain and inflammation and is a great home treatment option for elbow tendonitis. Popular NSAIDs are ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) and naproxen (Aleve). Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you start a new medication.

Medical Treatment

When home treatments and lifestyle changes aren’t enough to manage the symptoms of tennis elbow then it’s time to look into medical treatment.

  • Steroid Injections

    Cortisone is a steroid medication that can be injected into the injury to provide a powerful anti-inflammatory effect. These injections are given in the doctor’s office and have minimal downtime after. The effects can be temporary and the injections may need to be repeated for a full recovery.

  • Ultrasonic Tenotomy (TENEX)

    Ultrasonic tenotomy (TENEX) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure. The patient is given a local anesthetic and the surgeon uses ultrasound to find the injured tendon. A small incision is made near the tendon and the ultrasonic device is placed near the tendon to break down and remove the injured part of the tendon. 

  • Arthroscopic Surgery

    Arthroscopic elbow surgery is a same-day surgical procedure. It uses small incisions to allow room for the surgical instruments and the surgeon to perform the repair or remove the damaged elbow tendon tissue. Downtime after an arthroscopic surgery tends to be shorter than an open procedure and has less recovery time.

How to Prevent Tennis Elbow

Preventing elbow tendonitis is the best way to avoid the pain and frustration of injury. The best prevention techniques involve strengthening muscles and minimizing overuse. Take a look at our checklist of the ways to prevent elbow tendonitis:

  • Take frequent breaks from activities and movements that require hand, wrist, and elbow movements
  • Avoid lifting heavy objects with your arms extended
  • Avoid tightly gripping objects with your hands
  • Weight training should be done with your elbows slightly bent
  • When playing tennis, hit the ball using the backhand stroke
  • When playing golf, use grip tape to enlarge the club handle

Choosing a Safe Treatment

Elbow tendonitis treatment starts with lifestyle changes and home treatment. Oftentimes, these remedies are enough to reduce pain and get your back to the activities you enjoy. If these treatments are not enough, then it’s time to talk to your doctor or physical therapist about medical treatment. Thankfully, there are multiple treatment options available to help you get back to what you enjoy.

Sources:

https://hackelmd.com/2018/10/30/suffering-from-tendonitis-percutaneous-tenotomy-tenex-could-help/

https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/tennis-elbow-lateral-epicondylitis/

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/elbow-tendinopathy-tennis-and-golf-elbow-beyond-the-basics

SHOP ELBOW TENDONITIS

Pages:

Patty Weasler, RN
Patty Weasler, RN

Patty Weasler is a freelance health writer and nurse. She is certified in critical care nursing and has been practicing for over 10 years. Patty lives in Milwaukee, WI with her husband and three children. She enjoys spending her time with family and educating people about their health.



Also in Resources

Breathing with Purpose: Conscious Breathing for Seniors
Breathing with Purpose: Conscious Breathing for Seniors

by Jessica Hegg November 28, 2023 0 Comments

With all the stressors we encounter daily, who couldn’t use a bit of time to cool down, relax, and collect your thoughts? 
Read More
Going Digital: Explore the Benefits of Telemedicine for Seniors
Going Digital: Explore the Benefits of Telemedicine for Seniors

by Jessica Hegg November 06, 2023 0 Comments

Telemedicine took off in early 2020 as a way to safely and remotely treat patients. Since then, the benefits of remote treatment have become clear, causing more doctors and patients to enjoy telehealth services regularly.
Read More
Pickleball Fever: Why Seniors are Flocking to the Courts
Pickleball Fever: Why Seniors are Flocking to the Courts

by Jessica Hegg October 24, 2023 0 Comments

Pickleball has actually been around since the mid-sixties, but only in recent years has it become the leading athletic trend among seniors.
Read More
Making a Splash: The Ultimate Pool Exercises for Seniors
Making a Splash: The Ultimate Pool Exercises for Seniors

by Jessica Hegg October 02, 2023 0 Comments

Everyone knows it’s important to stay fit, though it’s not always easy once we get older. Fatigue, joint pain, and limited mobility can all make a regular workout seem like an unattainable goal.
Read More