tennis elbow
Dr. Somesh Deb

What is the best treatment for tennis elbow?

Treatment for Tennis Elbow

. Icing the elbow to reduce pain and swelling. ...
. Using an elbow strap to protect the injured tendon from further strain.
. Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin, to help with pain and swelling.

How long does it take for tennis elbow to heal?

Most cases of tennis elbow respond to rest, ice, rehab exercises, pain medicine, and counterforce braces. This injury does take from 6 months to 12 months to heal.

Your doctor may recommend the following self-care measures:

1. Rest. Avoid activities that aggravate your elbow pain.
2. Pain relievers. Try over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or naproxen (Aleve).
3. Ice. Apply ice or a cold pack for 15 minutes three to four times a day.
4. Technique.

What is tennis elbow caused by?

It often occurs due to overusing the forearm muscles and tendons and those around the elbow joint. Tennis elbow is also known as lateral elbow pain or lateral epicondylitis and is not necessarily related to tennis. ... Tennis elbow is caused by small tears in the tendons that join the forearm to the outside of the elbow.

What happens if tennis elbow goes untreated?

Tennis elbow does not usually lead to serious problems. If the condition continues and is left untreated, however, loss of motion or loss of function of the elbow and forearm can develop. Call your health care professional if the following conditions develop: Pain that limits your daily activity.

Does tennis elbow go away on its own?

Tennis elbow is a self-limiting condition, which means it will eventually get better without treatment. However, it can often last for several weeks or months, because tendons heal slowly. ... A number of simple treatments can help alleviate the pain of tennis elbow.