Tennis elbow is typically an easy to treat condition, and most patients recover with non-surgical treatment. Treatment options include: Activity Modification – You may need to change some of your activities. In many cases, for athletes, this means working with an athletic instructor or professional to change your body mechanics; Rest – One of the best treatments for tennis elbow is rest. Overuse causes tennis elbow, so resting is both an effective and often simple treatment option; Over the Counter Pain Medication – Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, or NSAIDS, often available over the counter, are usually effective in treating the pain and inflammation associated with tennis elbow. It is important to talk to your doctor before starting any medication regimen; Changing Sports Equipment – Physicians who focus on sports medicine have found that those using inappropriately sized equipment are often at higher risk for tennis elbow. Racquets that are more loosely strung are also better for prevention tennis elbow; Physical Therapy and Exercise – Physical therapy is often helpful for orthopaedic injuries, including tennis elbow, because they focus on strengthening muscles that work with and support joints and bones; Steroid Injections – Your doctor may recommend cortisone injections directly into the affected muscle to reduce acute swelling and pain. On rare occasions, if these options have been attempted over a long period of time and been ineffective, your doctor may recommend surgical treatment options.
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