Tennis Elbow

Pain on the outside of your elbow can make simple things surprisingly difficult. Picking up a coffee mug, carrying a bag, working out, or even gripping something can hurt.

Tennis elbow is a common cause of this type of pain. Also called lateral epicondylitis, it affects the tendons that connect your forearm muscles to the outside of your elbow.

The good news is that most people don’t need surgery. Tennis elbow treatment usually starts with nonsurgical options that reduce pain and give the tendon time to recover.

What Causes Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow usually develops when repeated movements put too much stress on the tendons near the outside of your elbow.

Despite the name, you don’t have to play tennis to develop it. Activities that can put repeated stress on these tendons include:

• Repeated gripping or lifting
• Using hand tools
• Painting
• Weight training
• Racquet sports
• Jobs that require repeated wrist or forearm movements

Symptoms can also start when you suddenly do more than your arm is used to.

What Does Tennis Elbow Feel Like?

Tennis elbow usually causes pain or tenderness on the outside of the elbow. The pain may also travel a short distance down your forearm.

Other symptoms can include:

• Burning or aching pain
• Reduced grip strength
• Pain when carrying or lifting something
• Pain when gripping an object
• Discomfort during repeated hand or wrist movements

Your elbow may feel fine when you’re resting but start hurting as soon as you use your arm. In more persistent cases, pain may also bother you at night.

How Is Tennis Elbow Diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, activities, and when the pain started. They’ll also examine your elbow and may ask you to move your wrist or fingers to see which movements cause pain.

Imaging isn’t always needed. Your doctor may recommend it if the cause of your elbow pain isn’t clear or your symptoms haven’t improved with treatment.

What Is the Best Tennis Elbow Treatment?

Most people with tennis elbow don’t need surgery. Treatment usually starts with giving the painful tendon a break from activities that bother it. Exercises can then help you build strength again.

Your treatment plan may include several approaches.

Activity Modification

You don’t have to stop using your arm completely. But you may need to cut back on things that make it hurt.

That could mean changing how you lift, work out, play sports or do repetitive tasks for a while. You can add these activities back as your elbow gets stronger.

Bracing

A brace may make everyday activities more comfortable.

A counterforce strap around your upper forearm can reduce some of the stress placed on the painful tendon. A wrist brace may also reduce how hard your forearm muscles have to work.

Your doctor can recommend the type of brace that’s right for you.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can improve flexibility and strengthen the muscles that support your elbow.

Your therapist may also look at how your shoulder, wrist and forearm move. Improving strength and movement throughout your arm can reduce the strain placed on your elbow.

Medication

Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, may provide short-term pain relief. Topical NSAID gels are another option for some people.

Talk with your doctor before taking medication to make sure it’s safe for you.

Ultrasound-Guided Injections

Your doctor may recommend an injection if other treatments haven’t eased your pain.

Ultrasound helps your doctor see the tendon and guide the injection to the right area. The type of injection will depend on your needs.

Corticosteroid injections may ease pain for a short time, but the relief may not last.

Can Peptide Therapy Be Used for Tennis Elbow?

Peptide therapy may be considered for some patients with tennis elbow as one part of a larger treatment plan. At Axion Spine & Neurosurgery, BPC-157 is one of the peptides used most often for musculoskeletal concerns.

BPC-157 has been studied for its possible effects on processes involved in tendon and other soft tissue recovery. But most of the research is from animal studies, and human research is very limited. BPC-157 is not FDA-approved to treat tennis elbow or other medical conditions.

Peptide therapy isn’t a replacement for physical therapy, activity changes, or other established tennis elbow treatments. If you’re interested in peptide therapy, your doctor can evaluate your elbow and explain what we know about it and where research is still limited.

When Does Tennis Elbow Require Surgery?

Most people improve without surgery.

Surgery may be an option if pain or weakness continues after nonsurgical treatment.

If your tennis elbow requires surgery, Axion can refer you to an orthopedic surgeon.

Find Tennis Elbow Treatment in Atlanta

You use your arms all day, so ongoing elbow pain can quickly get in the way of work, exercise, and everyday tasks.

If tennis elbow isn’t getting better, you don’t have to keep working around the pain. Axion Spine & Neurosurgery offers nonsurgical elbow pain treatment in Atlanta based on your symptoms, activities, and goals.

Schedule an appointment with Axion Spine & Neurosurgery in Atlanta to find out what’s causing your elbow pain and what you can do about it.

1. How Long Does Tennis Elbow Take to Heal?

Recovery time varies. Mild cases may improve within several weeks, while more persistent tennis elbow can take several months.

Following your treatment plan and avoiding activities that cause pain can give your elbow time to recover.

2. Can Tennis Elbow Heal Without Surgery?

Yes. Most people with tennis elbow don’t need surgery. Treatment often includes activity changes, bracing, physical therapy, and other nonsurgical options.

Surgery is usually considered only when pain or loss of function continues after nonsurgical treatment.

Shane Mangrum, MD