Tennis elbow treatment in Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad is much sought after, reports our team of physiotherapy experts. It is interesting to note that Tennis elbow is a common condition in India that affects people who engage in repetitive arm motions, which are not just playing tennis but can be typing on a laptop or computer. Treatment options for tennis elbow in India include physiotherapy, medications, and in severe cases, surgery. In this blog, we will explore the various treatment options available for tennis elbow in India and discuss their effectiveness.
Tennis Elbow Overview | Elbow Pain Recovery time | Tennis Elbow Treatment at Home | Tennis Elbow Physiotherapy and Exercises | Other Treatment options
Tennis Elbow – An Overview
Tennis elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) is a self-limiting condition, which may set in due to repetitive movements like cooking in the kitchen, constant computer work, typing on laptop and mobiles apart from specific arm using sports. It may start with pain in elbow, thereafter spreading up to the wrist.
Tennis Elbow Vs Golfer’s Elbow
Tennis elbow and Golfer’s elbow are both forms of tendonitis that affect the elbow. Tennis elbow or Lateral epicondylitis, affects the outer part of the elbow, while golfer’s elbow or Medial Epicondylitis, affects the inner part. Tennis elbow is usually caused by repetitive motions of the wrist and arm, while golfer’s elbow is caused by overuse of the muscles that flex the wrist and fingers. [Related Reading: Golfer’s Elbow: Medial Epicondylitis]
The symptoms of tennis elbow will include swelling, pain and limited use of the affected arm, which may need treatment and management of pain. Early treatment can be done simply by self care at home. If recovery is delayed, then physiotherapy should be done to speeden up pain relief and effective recovery of lost function.
Will Tennis Elbow Heal on its Own?
Tennis elbow Recovery Timeline
The recovery time for tennis elbow can vary depending on the severity of the condition and the treatment approach.
- In most cases, conservative treatments like physiotherapy can take 4-6 weeks for significant improvement, with a full recovery taking 6-12 months.
- However, if the condition is severe, surgery may be necessary, and the recovery time can range from 3-6 months.
It’s essential to work with a qualified physiotherapist to develop an individualized treatment plan that optimizes recovery time and ensures a successful outcome.
What if Tennis Elbow is left untreated?
If left untreated, tennis elbow can worsen and lead to chronic pain, weakness, and difficulty performing daily activities. It may also cause permanent damage to the tendons and muscles in the affected arm. Without appropriate intervention, the condition can become increasingly debilitating, impacting the individual’s quality of life and ability to work or participate in recreational activities. Therefore, seeking timely medical attention is crucial for a successful recovery.
Need Tennis Elbow Treatment?
What is the fastest way to cure Tennis elbow?
Tennis Elbow Treatment Options
You could follow one or more of the following treatment options to deal with pain due to Tennis elbow and improve use of the affected arm.
A) Tennis Elbow treatment at home for immediate pain relief
- Rest: The most important thing you can do is rest your injured arm and stop doing the activity that caused the problem
- Ice: Apply ice or a cold pack for 15 minutes three to four times a day. Read more to learn about RICE protocol.
- Bracing or Elbow support (Read here to know more about elbow strap, braces, bands for Tennis Elbow )
- Avoid heavy weight lifting
- Avoid twisting movements and turning activities of wrist or forearm
- Modifying activities involving painful movements so they do not place strain on your arm and make the pain worse.
General tips: Avoid making the same hand and arm movements over and over. If that’s not an option for you, wear a brace and take breaks as often as you can. Some other tips:
- Learn to use your shoulder and upper arm muscles to take the strain off your elbow.
- Stick to the middle of your range of motion – avoid bending or straightening your arm all the way.
- Warm up and stretch before sports and other activities where you repeat the same motions with your arm.
B) Lateral Epicondylitis: Tennis Elbow Physical Therapy
Physiotherapy is very beneficial in more severe and persistent cases (ie. early acute stage) of tennis elbow. But most of the patients think that pain will go away and seek physio help only when it becomes constant or functionally restricting. Objectives of physiotherapy are to:
- reduce pain
- retard muscle atrophy
- increase flexibility
- increase muscle strength
- increase motor endurance, and
- facilitate early return to activity / sport
Tennis Elbow Physiotherapy Treatment – What to Expect?
Initial management of this condition in physiotherapy is through pain relieving techniques. A physiotherapist will assess your arm condition and use a combination of treatments, some of which are:
1. Massaging Tennis Elbow –
A specialised Soft Tissue Massage is done by a trained physiotherapist who can use a range of techniques to release soft tissue, break down tension and realign the fibres. These techniques include myofascial release and transverse friction techniques.
2. Joint mobilisation:
This management may include massage around the problem area or gently mobilising the joints of your neck, elbow and wrist.
3. Stretching to relieve elbow pain:
As soon as your pain allows, start stretching the area. Extension exercises of the wrist will be the most important stretches you can do to improve your range of motion and to increase the amount of load on the tendon.
4. Hot/Cold therapy:
Apply ice to the elbow regularly to reduce the pain and inflammation will be a good start, particularly at the early onset of pain.
5. Kinesio Taping:
Kinesio taping or K-taping may help decrease the pain and can reduce the likelihood of injury aggravation.
6. Dry Needling for Tennis Elbow:
Dry needling is a technique that is fast gaining appreciation within the physiotherapy world, with many practitioners now trained in the use of acupuncture needles to assist with their client’s pain and rehabilitation. The insertion of needles at varying lengths and points are thought to alter the way pain signals are transmitted by nerve pathways. You can connect with us for dry needling in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, Mumbai and Ongole city.
K-Taping or Dry Needling for Tennis Elbow?
Exercises for Tennis Elbow Therapy
Elbow tendonitis exercises:
Here are few Tennis elbow exercises and techniques demonstrated by Dr Javed Aatif (PT). You can follow these for home remedy for Tennis elbow. However if the pain persists, reach out to us at a ReLiva physiotherapy clinic near you or take Online Physiotherapy conveniently from your home.
C) Invasive treatments for Lateral Epicondylitis
Tennis Elbow surgery
- Your doctor might suggest injecting platelet-rich plasma, or some form of irritant (prolotherapy) into the painful tendon.
- Ultrasonic tenotomy, in which, under ultrasound guidance, a doctor inserts a special needle through your skin and into the damaged portion of the tendon. Ultrasonic energy vibrates the needle so swiftly that the damaged tissue liquefies and can be suctioned out.
- Surgery. If your symptoms haven’t improved after six to 12 months of extensive non-operative treatment, surgery may be used as a last resort to remove the damaged part of the tendon.
At ReLiva, we want you to get back to participating in the activities you enjoy as fast as possible. Get relief. Fill the form below and speak to us today so we can connect you with a physiotherapist near you.
Related Reading:
All about Tennis Elbow : Cause, Symptoms & Cure
Tennis Elbow Strap, Brace support for pain relief
Golfer’s Elbow: [Medial Epicondylitis]
Evidence for Physiotherapy treatment for elbow
Physical therapy interventions including elbow joint mobilization with movement combined with exercise has been shown to have better results than “Therapeutic Corticosteroid Injection” at 6 weeks and to wait and see at 6 weeks but not 52 weeks. Recent research regarding cervicothoracic joint mobilization in conjunction with local treatment for lateral epicondylalgia has shown improvements in strength, pain, and tolerance to activity compared to local treatment alone. [01]
