Tennis Elbow Treatment in Adelaide | Fast Pain Relief

Feeling pain in your elbow when playing sport, lifting objects, or even typing at your computer? You could be suffering from lateral epicondylitis, or more commonly known as elbow tendonitis or tennis elbow. 

Tennis elbow can be an annoying disruption to your everyday life which prevents you from participating in sport, performing at your best at work or even completing simple tasks at home without pain.

While rest, ice-therapy, pain-relief medication, and avoiding activities that further inflame your elbow pain can help reduce your discomfort, lateral epicondylitis can take up to 6-8 months to heal and can worsen if left untreated. Professional intervention through physiotherapy is essential to boost your recovery from tennis elbow and to prevent future pain and injuries. 

At City Physiotherapy in Adelaide, our dedicated team of physiotherapists are trained in tennis elbow treatment and elbow pain to provide you with lasting relief that gets you back to doing the things you love.

What is Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)?

Elbow tendonitis or tennis elbow is the collective name given to inflammation disorders of the lateral epicondyle of the elbow and the tendons that attach there. This means that tennis elbow is caused by a tear or swelling in the tendons that attach the muscle of the forearm to the bone in your upper arm.

The elbow joint consists of three bones and is held together by muscles, ligaments, and tendons, which can be affected by overuse, leading to conditions like tennis elbow. This is caused by repeated use of the muscles around the elbow, resulting in inflammation and pain.

You don’t need to be an athlete to suffer from elbow tendonitis. Elbow tendonitis is a painful and annoying condition that can be caused by a variety of activities. Some activities that cause tennis elbow include:

• Racquet sports
• Repetitive activities performed at your job and around the house
• Painting
• Typing on a computer
• Using a screwdriver or hammer

Other racquet sports like racquetball and squash can also contribute to the condition. Tennis elbow is commonly associated with playing tennis or racquet sports, but can occur in anyone who performs repetitive arm movements.

Elbow pain during or after playing sport or exercise can often occur due to poor physical form and condition, using incorrect equipment, and playing sport on hard surfaces which may require sports physiotherapy and injury rehabilitation to treat. Repetitive motions can lead to too much strain on the tendons, causing soreness and potential tearing.

What are the Symptoms of Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow can range from mild to severe with arm pain often being felt on the outside of your elbow that worsens over time. The soreness can extend from some patients’ elbows to their upper arm and forearm, causing weakness. Some patients find they experience sudden elbow pain instead of developing over time. Others might only get pain in their elbow when doing certain movements such as turning a doorknob or shaking hands.

Severe lateral epicondylitis can cause pain in the dominant arm when lifting something as small as a kettle. You will also feel pain in the elbow when you stretch the tendon by bending your wrist forward as far as you can.

Diagnosing Tennis Elbow

Diagnosing tennis elbow typically involves a combination of physical examination, medical history, and imaging tests. Your healthcare provider will start by asking about your symptoms, such as the location and severity of your elbow pain, and how long you’ve been experiencing them. They will also perform a physical examination to assess your arm and elbow, checking for tenderness, swelling, and limited mobility.

Imaging tests, such as X-rays, MRI, or ultrasound, may be ordered to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions that may be causing your symptoms. These tests can help identify any damage to the tendons or other structures in your elbow, providing a clearer picture of the extent of the injury.

In some cases, your healthcare provider may also perform a grip strength test to assess the strength of your forearm muscles. This can help determine the severity of your tennis elbow and guide the most effective treatment plan. By thoroughly evaluating your condition, your healthcare provider can ensure that you receive the appropriate care to alleviate your elbow pain and promote healing.

How Long Does It Take To Recover From Tennis Elbow?

Unlike a muscle injury which would require mostly rest, elbow tendonitis is a tendon injury which needs proper treatment to stimulate healing and eliminate pain. Depending on the severity of your injury, you can expect your tennis elbow injury to take anywhere between 4-6 weeks and 6-8 months to heal.

Healing times for tendons can be lengthy due to the fact that collagen (the type of fibre that provides strength and structure to the tendons) can take months to regenerate and settle in the affected area.

Our physiotherapists treat lateral epicondylitis all the time and can confidently develop a comprehensive personalised treatment plan tailored to eliminating your elbow pain and reducing your risk of future injuries.

How Does Physiotherapy Help Relieve Tennis Elbow Pain?

Tennis elbow treatment focuses on reducing the initial inflammation of the area, rest, massage of the tendon to stimulate healing, stretching and release of the surrounding tissues and static exercises that will stimulate the formation of strong tendon fibres. Some treatments that our physiotherapists provide include:

Dry Needling Treatment

This minimally invasive and effective technique involves inserting thin needles into specific areas of the elbow called trigger points which cause the muscles to twitch and relax. These trigger points contribute to pain, stiffness, and limited movement in and around the elbow.

By targeting these trigger points directly, our dry needling for tennis elbow treatment aims to:

• Reduce tightness and pain: The needles help to relax the tight muscles surrounding the trigger point, leading to a noticeable reduction in discomfort from both localised and referral pain.
• Increase blood circulation: Stimulating blood flow through the affected area of the elbow aids in speeding up the healing process.
• Enhance range of motion: As the inflammation and pain subside, you’ll likely experience increased movement in your elbow which also helps in preventing future injuries.

Benefits of Hands-On Physiotherapy

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners notes that manual physical therapy, including soft tissue mobilisation, can help reduce pain in tennis elbow. At City Physiotherapy in Adelaide, our skilled physiotherapists use their hands to assess, diagnose, and treat the affected area. By applying targeted pressure and movement to your elbow, we stimulate the healing process and promote tissue repair.

By using our hands to heal the tendons around the elbow, our hands-on physiotherapy for tennis elbow treatment aims to: 

• Kickstart the healing process: Our physiotherapists target the affected tendons, manipulating them in a way to help stimulate the healing process.
• Improve stiffness and range of motion: Through a combination of massages alongside physio treatments, the range of motion without pain when using the elbow will begin to improve.
• Relief of pain: By getting the elbow to a fuller range of motion with less stiffness, you’ll be able to use your elbow more frequently, boosting muscle strength and alleviating pain.

Exercise for Injury Rehabilitation

A lack of strength in the muscles of the arm is one of the causes and implications of tennis elbow. Improving the surrounding muscles’ abilities to function aids in the healing and further prevention of elbow tendonitis and other injuries.

The use of rehabilitation for lateral epicondylitis treatment aims to:

• Regain Movement: our physiotherapists will create a pathway to regaining the pain free movement of your elbow through exercises which stimulate the formation of strong tendon fibres.
• Prevent future injuries: By strengthening the muscles and practising good form when completing activities, the likelihood of future injuries or further damage to the elbow will be reduced.
• Improve overall well-being: A reduction in pain, stiff and sore muscles, and promoting an active lifestyle helps patients improve their overall health and well-being.

Sports Taping Advantages 

Sports taping, sometimes known as sports strapping, is the use of special tape (either rigid or Kinesio tape) applied to the elbow in a specific way with studies supporting the taping technique for its substantial initial pain relief.

Our taping for tennis elbow treatment aims to:

• Reduce pain levels: By restricting the movement of the elbow during the healing process, less pain should be experienced.
• Prevent future injuries: Provides support and reduces stress on the affected area when participating in activities and sport to prevent further damage.
• Reducing inflammation: Kinesiology tape helps reduce inflammation and swelling of the elbow, aiding in pain reduction and healing

Further Medical Intervention for Elbow Pain

If your elbow pain does not respond well to physiotherapy management we are also able to refer you to radiology for an ultrasound and possible X-Ray guided corticosteroid injection which can help to ease inflammation and pain for a period of time during which rehabilitation to treat elbow tendonitis can be facilitated.

Tennis elbow surgery is considered only after conservative methods have failed.

Preventing Tennis Elbow

Preventing tennis elbow involves taking proactive steps to reduce the strain on your elbow and forearm muscles. Here are some practical tips to help you prevent tennis elbow and maintain healthy elbows:

• Warm up properly: Before playing sports or engaging in activities that involve repetitive arm movements, make sure to warm up your muscles. Gentle stretching and light exercises can prepare your muscles and tendons for the activity ahead.
• Use proper technique: When playing racquet sports like tennis or squash, ensure you use the correct technique. This can help distribute the strain more evenly across your muscles and tendons, reducing the risk of injury.
• Avoid overuse: Be mindful of how much you use your arm and elbow. Take regular breaks to rest and stretch, especially during activities that involve repetitive movements.
• Strengthen your forearm muscles: Incorporate exercises such as wrist extensions and flexions into your routine to build strength in your forearm muscles. Stronger muscles can better support your tendons and reduce the risk of tennis elbow.
• Use ergonomic equipment: Consider using ergonomic tools and equipment, such as a wrist rest or a tennis racket with a larger grip. These can help reduce the strain on your elbow and forearm during activities.
• Avoid repetitive movements: Try to minimise activities that involve repetitive bending or twisting of your arm. If you must perform these tasks, take frequent breaks and use proper form to reduce strain.

By following these tips, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing tennis elbow and enjoy your activities without the discomfort of elbow pain.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If you’re experiencing symptoms of tennis elbow, it’s essential to know when to seek medical attention. Here are some signs that indicate it’s time to consult a healthcare professional:

• Persistent or worsening symptoms: If your elbow pain does not improve with rest and self-care measures, or if it gets worse over time, it’s important to seek medical advice.
• Severe pain or swelling: Experiencing severe pain or noticeable swelling in your elbow is a clear sign that you need professional evaluation.
• Difficulty moving your arm or elbow: If you find it challenging to move your arm or elbow, or if you experience significant stiffness, it’s time to see a healthcare provider.
• Bulge or lump on your arm: The presence of a bulge or lump on your arm near the elbow could indicate a more serious issue that requires medical attention.
• Fever or redness around the affected area: If you have a fever or notice redness and warmth around your elbow, it could be a sign of infection or inflammation that needs prompt treatment.

Early treatment can help prevent further damage to your tendons and promote healing. At City Physiotherapy, our physiotherapists can diagnose tennis elbow and develop a treatment plan to help you recover and prevent future complications. In severe cases, tennis elbow may require surgery to repair damaged tendons and relieve pain. However, this is usually a last resort and is only considered if other treatments have failed to provide relief.

By seeking medical attention early, you can get the treatment you need to alleviate your symptoms and prevent long-term damage to your elbow.

Tennis Elbow Treatment at City Physio Adelaide 

Don’t let tennis elbow or elbow tendonitis hold you back from doing the things you love. At City Physio, our friendly physiotherapists are committed to helping you treat tennis elbow so you can work, play sports, and complete tasks pain-free.

Whether it be dry needling, hands-on physiotherapy, injury rehabilitation or sports taping, if you’re struggling with pain, our skilled physiotherapists will develop a personalised treatment plan to help get you back to feeling your best.

Schedule an appointment with City Physio today to start your journey toward lasting relief and improved well-being.

FAQs

What is Tennis Elbow caused by?

Tennis elbow is often caused by repeated motions of the wrist and arm, causing swelling or tearing in the tendon which leads to tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis.

Will Tennis Elbow go away on its own?

In most cases, symptoms of tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) usually go away on their own within 12 months. However, physiotherapy can improve both short-term and long-term outcomes by reducing the time taken to improve pain and the recurrence of symptoms in the future. 

How to cure Tennis Elbow fast?

Rest, ice therapy, avoiding activities which aggravate the elbow, and over-the-counter pain medication are the best treatments for tennis elbow symptoms. If after 6-12 weeks there has been little improvement, physiotherapy can be beneficial for reducing recovery time and improving long-term health.

What not to do with Tennis Elbow?

The top activities to avoid while treating tennis elbow include:

• Excessive use of a computer
• Cutting and preparing food
• Painting
• Using a screwdriver or hammer
• Sport and exercise that aggravates the elbow tendons

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