Elbow Pain? Receive Effective Tennis Elbow Treatment Near Farmingdale, NJ

Do you have a burning ache on the outside of your elbow? Does the pain travel down your forearm to the back of your hand whenever you lift, grip, or twist an object? These are hallmark signs of tennis elbow, an overuse injury that occurs when the elbow tendons are repeatedly overloaded.

The possibility of having tennis elbow might come as a surprise to you, especially if you’ve never swung a racquet in your life. But playing tennis is not the only possible cause. Also known as lateral epicondylitis, tennis elbow can result from virtually any repetitive forearm and wrist motions, and it is common among athletes and non-athletes alike. In addition to tennis players, the orthopedic elbow specialists at Advanced Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Institute (AOSMI) near Farmingdale, New Jersey, diagnose and treat tennis elbow in plumbers, carpenters, painters, mechanics, and cooks.

How Is Tennis Elbow Treated?

Although tennis elbow symptoms may improve on their own, the healing process occurs gradually and it can take up to two years for the pain to fully resolve. In the meantime, it is important to rest the injured arm and avoid any activities that worsen the pain. Many patients benefit from conservative treatments, such as:

• Physical therapy – Moist heat applications followed by a customized regimen of stretching and strengthening exercises can promote soft tissue healing and ease elbow pain.
• Bracing – To reduce stress on the injured elbow tendons and stabilize the arm, a special tennis elbow strap can be wrapped around the forearm just below the elbow.
• Medications – Over-the-counter pain relievers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be taken as needed to reduce elbow joint pain and inflammation.
• Corticosteroid injections – To address severe tennis elbow symptoms, a powerful anti-inflammatory medication can be injected directly into the inflamed area of the elbow.

In general, the elbow specialists at AOSMI consider surgical treatment for tennis elbow only when the pain is debilitating, has persisted for several months, and has not improved with nonsurgical therapy. Usually performed on an outpatient basis, tennis elbow surgery involves relieving pressure on the injured elbow tendons and repairing damaged tendon tissue.

At Advanced Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Institute, you can explore your treatment options for tennis elbow with a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic elbow specialist. Contact us today to request an appointment at our sports injury clinic near Farmingdale, NJ.