Tennis Elbow Treatment in Freehold and Monroe Township, NJ

Are you experiencing pain and tenderness in and around your elbow? It could be tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), a painful condition that develops when the elbow tendons are overburdened. Oftentimes, the discomfort stems from the point where the forearm tendons attach to the bony bump on the elbow (the lateral epicondyle). The pain may also radiate down the forearm into the wrist and hand.

Despite what its name might suggest, tennis elbow is not exclusive to tennis players and other athletes. In fact, it may be completely unrelated to tennis. The condition can actually result from any repetitive arm and wrist motions. Usually, tennis elbow pain intensifies when the elbow tendons are stressed through activities such as gripping and lifting, but any arm motion can be painful.

How Is Tennis Elbow Treated?

In some cases, the symptoms of tennis elbow will go away on their own with time. With that said, it can take up to two years for the pain to completely resolve. In the meantime, nonsurgical therapy may be helpful. Some potentially effective options include:

• Activity modifications – Any activities that cause or contribute to the pain should be temporarily avoided. After a brief rest, it may be helpful to learn and use new gripping and lifting techniques.
• Bracing – A special tennis elbow strap can be wrapped around the forearm just below the elbow. This type of brace can promote healing by stabilizing the upper forearm and relieving stress on the elbow tendons.
• Physical therapy – Stretches, strengthening exercises, and heat applications can help alleviate arm and elbow pain.
• Medications – Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce pain and inflammation.
• Corticosteroid injections – A powerful anti-inflammatory medication can be injected directly into the inflamed area of the elbow.

In general, surgical treatment for tennis elbow is considered only when the pain is debilitating, has persisted for several months, and has not responded to conservative treatment. This type of surgery, which is usually performed in an outpatient setting, involves relieving pressure on the injured elbow tendon and addressing damaged tendon tissue.

At Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute, you can explore your treatment options for tennis elbow with a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon. Contact us today to schedule an appointment at our office in Freehold or Monroe Township, New Jersey.