Tennis elbow, or also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a condition that affects not only tennis players but also those who engage in other activities that strain the muscles of the forearm. This condition can cause acute pain.
Whether or not you are an athlete, preventing tennis elbow is crucial to maintaining a pain-free and functional arm. In this blog, we will discuss comprehensive strategies and some effective lifestyle changes that can help you prevent tennis elbow.
By taking proactive steps, one can also reduce the likelihood of having to obtain health insurance in order to pay for costly treatments.
Measures to Prevent Tennis Elbow
Here are some tips and measures to manage and prevent tennis elbow -
- If you are in pain, it is best to stop what you are doing or find a less strenuous way to complete the task at hand.
- Watch out for overusing your wrist and elbow relative to the rest of your arm. Spreading the weight over your shoulder's bigger muscles could also be helpful for pain relief.
- If you play a sport that requires repetitive motions, like tennis or squash, you might want to seek coaching advice to help you develop your technique.
- Use lightweight tools or racquets and a larger grip size to avoid putting additional strain on your tendons by using heavy tools or racquets.
- If you are playing some sports make sure you warm up properly and stretch your arm muscles.
- Wear a tennis elbow splint only when you are actively using your arm (not when you are resting or sleeping).
- Strengthen the muscles in your forearms (a physiotherapist can give you advice on exercises to do to strengthen the muscles in your forearms); consult with your doctor or a physiotherapist about the best brace or splint.
Treatment
Changing or avoiding certain activities
If you have tennis elbow, you should not strain the affected muscles and tendons any further. If you perform manual tasks with your arms at work, such as lifting, you might need to refrain from doing so until the pain in your arm goes away.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and pain relievers
A mild case of tennis elbow can be relieved by taking painkillers, such as paracetamol, and NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen.
In addition to tablets, NSAIDs are also available as creams and gels (topical NSAIDs) that are applied directly to the area of your body that is experiencing pain.
Physiotherapy for tennis elbow
Your doctor might recommend a physiotherapist if the pain from your tennis elbow is more severe or ongoing. Physiotherapists apply a range of techniques to help injured body parts regain their ability to move.
Steroid injections for tennis elbow
Tennis elbow is sometimes treated with steroids, which contain synthetic versions of the hormone cortisol. Tennis elbow patients who have failed to respond to other treatments may be offered steroid injections.
Shockwave therapy for tennis elbow
High-energy shockwaves are used in shockwave therapy to penetrate the skin and relieve pain while encouraging movement in the injured area.
The number of sessions you'll need will depend on how severe your pain is. During the procedure, a local anaesthetic may be used to lessen any discomfort or pain.
Surgery for tennis elbow
Surgery may be required in cases of severe and ongoing tennis elbow pain. The damaged portion of the tendon will be removed in order to alleviate the painful symptoms.
Conclusion
It is essential to prevent tennis elbow in order to maintain a pain-free and functional arm. You can manage the risk of developing this painful condition by following these comprehensive preventive measures, regardless of whether you are an athlete or someone who engages in everyday activities that strain the forearm muscles.
Taking proactive steps to prevent tennis elbow can help you avoid major discomfort. However, in cases of severe cases surgeries may be advised. To be prepared for such an event, make sure you have a robust health insurance in place.
It is important to prioritise the health of your arm as a proactive step towards a more comfortable and active lifestyle.