Recover From A Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) Injury
Lateral epicondylitis is a condition causing pain on the lateral side of the elbow commonly referred to as "tennis elbow." It often develops over time, frequently with little or no previous trauma.
More Resources to Get Better
Injections for tennis elbow
Cortisone shots have been a common treatment for bone and joint injuries for years. Do they actually make the problem better or just make the person feel better?
Cortisone injections lead to worse outcomes for tennis elbow
A study published in today’s issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association questions whether cortisone injections are effective and whether they should be used for this problem.
Who is likely to need surgery for lateral epicondylitis?
Lateral epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow, is a common cause of elbow pain in adults. Find out more about treatment options.
The Sports and Exercise Injury Primer
This series explains the top 20 injuries suffered by athletes and active people.
Ask Dr. Geier: Elbow and Forearm Injuries
How to get rid of pain, anxiety and frustration from your elbow and forearm injuries.
The Injury Evaluation Course
Does the thought of seeing a doctor for your injury scare you?
Books
That’s Gotta Hurt
The Injuries That Changed Sports Forever
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
Get the BookFrequently Asked Questions on Lateral Epicondylitis Injuries
- What is this injury?
-
-What is this injury?
Lateral epicondylitis is a condition causing pain on the lateral side of the elbow. It is commonly referred to as "tennis elbow." This condition often develops over time, frequently with little or no previous trauma. Often a small area of degeneration in one of the extensor tendons just off the bony prominence on the lateral side of the elbow causes the pain on the outside of the elbow. - What are the common treatments?
-
-What are the common treatments?
Nonsurgical treatments such as a counterforce strap, activity modification, rest, and physical therapy are often thought to resolve the problem without surgery. Sometimes a doctor will inject cortisone or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to try to decrease pain and get the tendon to heal. Occasionally a surgeon will remove the diseased portion of the tendon surgically if the patient fails to improve after many months of nonsurgical treatments. - How long could it take to recover?
-
-How long could it take to recover?
Full recovery requires time to regain full strength, motion and elbow function. Recovery differs greatly depending on the nature of the treatment needed to fix the problem. Often physical therapy and injections can relieve a patient's pain within weeks. Recovery can take anywhere from a few weeks to many months. - What should I ask my doctor?
-
-What should I ask my doctor?
It is always a good idea to ask if surgery is necessary and if there are nonsurgical treatment options that can be tried first. Ask what options can help you decrease pain and allow activities quickly, such as counterforce straps and physical therapy. You might ask whether injections are helpful or harmful for your condition. Also ask when you could expect to safely return to your sport or exercise.