How to treat tennis elbow inflammation?

Inflammation of tennis elbow is quite painful, and sometimes bending movements will be affected, so the phenomenon of tennis elbow must be treated reasonably. Non-surgical treatment is a common treatment and conditioning method. Patients are advised to apply ice to the local area or use heat therapy.

(1) Rest and avoid activities that cause pain. Do not exercise until the pain disappears, especially avoid playing tennis.

(2) Apply ice to the outside of the elbow for one week, four times a day, for 15 to 20 minutes each time. When wrapping ice cubes in a towel, do not allow the ice cubes to come into contact with your skin to avoid frostbite.

(3) Taking aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics (such as ibuprofen).

(4) Protective gear: Using compression resistance protective gear on the forearm can limit the force generated by the forearm muscles.

(5) Heat therapy Heat therapy is used before stretching therapy and exercise warm-up activities.

(6) Stretching therapy: When the acute pain disappears, start gently stretching the elbows and wrists as instructed by the doctor. Do not cause pain. Maintain the stretching state for 10 seconds and repeat 6 times.

(7) Strength training: Strengthen the wrist extensor muscles as prescribed by your doctor.

(8) Gradually resume exercise and start exercising the arm movements required for sports (work activities) as recommended by your doctor.

(9) Local blockade with cortisone: Injecting cortisone-like drugs into specific areas of the elbow joint can reduce inflammation and relieve pain.

(10) Extracorporeal shock wave therapy can improve local blood circulation, reduce inflammation, and has a good effect on tendinopathy.

(11) If it is a late-stage or stubborn case of tennis elbow, and the symptoms remain severe and affect life and work after six months to one year of regular conservative treatment, surgical treatment can be used. Surgical methods include minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery and less invasive open surgery to remove unhealthy tissue, improve or restore local blood circulation, and allow tendons and bones to heal.