How to Mend Your Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

Tennis Elbow injuries are often caused by repetitive twisting or extending motions during activities such as swimming and tennis, as well as professions related to plumbing, landscaping, and painting.

You will initially feel pain in your lateral epicondyle, located on the outside edge of your elbow, a spot facing away from your body. If this injury is not treated right away the pain will radiate down your forearm, to your wrist and may cause discomfort in your hand as well. This injury will make it difficult for you to grasp or carry objects. You will also experience pain when you straighten your elbow, wrist or hand, flex your wrist and fingers backwards, and rest your wrists on a tabletop or desk.

This injury will get worse over time if it is not treated properly. You should consult a physician in order to ascertain a proper diagnosis and receive a course of treatment that will completely heal your Tennis Elbow. Some popular treatment methods include: the R.I.C.E. Method, Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy, and Therapeutic Ultrasound treatments.

Cold Compression Therapy - The R.I.C.E. Method

Cold Compression Therapy is ideal for treatment within the first 48 to 72 hours after a Tennis Elbow injury or after any sort of activity that has irritated your injury resulting in swelling. It is best to reduce swelling and rest your injured area by administering the R.I.C.E. method.

Begin R.I.C.E. treatments by resting your injury as much as possible and restrict any movement to prevent further damage. Ice the swollen area 2 to 4 times a day for approximately 10 to 20 minutes (allow for 45 minute periods between treatments). Do not apply ice directly onto your elbow as this may cause cryoburn (freezer burn to the skin) - use a piece of cloth, towel or compression wrap to protect your injury. Compress the area if possible by adding light pressure to minimize swelling. Finally, elevate your injured Achilles tendon to relieve swelling and allow fluid to properly drain.

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Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy

If you are still experiencing some inflammation in your elbow injury, and the area is no longer swollen you may want to explore the healing benefits of Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy (BFST). BFST decreases inflammation and increases blood circulation. Blood is the transport mechanism for oxygen, nutrients, water and antibodies, thus proper blood flow is essential when healing Tennis Elbow injuries. BFST is provided through the use of heat therapy which can be found in heating wrap products.

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Therapeutic Ultrasound

Therapeutic ultrasound is a method of stimulating tissue beneath the skin's surface using sound waves. It is like a high frequency massage that can penetrate up to 4" below the surface of the skin. The heating and massaging effects of therapeutic ultrasound have 3 primary benefits: it can speed the healing process, reduce swelling, and heal damaged tissue softening scar tissue. Essentially, the nutrient absorption rate and blood flow within the injured elbow area will be greatly enhanced through the use of an ultrasound device. Portable ultrasound therapy is recommended and administered by many doctors and physical therapists.

When applied directly to the skin, the transducer head of an ultrasound unit cannot effectively transfer sound waves into the body. A conductive medium (ultrasound gel) is required to facilitate therapeutic ultrasound.

Ultrasound can also be used to administer therapeutic medicines into the body which provides the added benefit of delivering soothing medicated gel to the site of the pain. This is a process known as Phonophoresis.

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Approximately 85% of individuals with Tennis Elbow will experience pain relief within 12 months after administering a combination of the treatments detailed above. However the type of surgery that is needed will depend on the size, shape and location of the injury. Of course considerable rehabilitation will be required after surgery and this may involve a few of the treatments listed above as well as physical therapy in order to strengthen the injured area.

An Elbow Arthroscopy may be performed in order to surgically mend the injury. This procedure involves inserting a fiber optic camera through a small incision on the outside of the elbow. At this point the surgeon can view inside of the elbow joint in order to diagnose the level of damage done to your soft tissues and bones and repair the injury. The surgeon may repair tears or remove damaged tissue. The surgeon may also detach a small piece of the tendon that is attached to the epicondyle bone in order to increase blood flow to the area. Sutures would then be used to reattach the tendon to the bone. After this procedure is complete you will most likely be required to wear a splint and will of course experience some tenderness, pain and stiffness after surgery. With proper rehabilitation the pain you experience will decrease but you may not regain full strength of your elbow and forearm.