Tennis Elbow Specialist in Bartlett, Elgin, Schaumburg, and Chicago, IL
Tennis Elbow: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options
Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is one of the most common causes of elbow pain. Despite its name, you don’t have to play tennis to develop it. Anyone who performs repetitive arm, wrist, or hand movements can experience this painful condition.
Suburban Orthopaedics’ elbow specialists diagnose and treat tennis elbow with personalized, evidence-based care to help you regain strength, reduce pain, and return to your normal activities.
Common Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
If you are wondering whether you have tennis elbow, these symptoms are key indicators:
- Pain or burning on the outer side of the elbow
- Weakened grip strength
- Pain when lifting objects, even lightweight items such as a coffee mug
- Discomfort when shaking hands, turning doorknobs, or gripping tools
- Symptoms that worsen with wrist extension or repetitive motions
Pain may begin to gradually worsen over weeks or even months, especially if the activity causing irritation continues.
How Suburban Orthopaedics Diagnoses Tennis Elbow
The first step is a physical exam to check for grip strength and resisted wrist extension. Imaging may be requested to confirm the diagnosis or rule out a fracture, such as x-rays or an MRI to assess tendon damage.
Our team specializes in elbow orthopedics, ensuring you receive the most accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment, whether your injury is mild or severe.
Treatment Options for Tennis Elbow
Most cases improve with non-surgical treatment, and early care leads to faster recovery. At Suburban Orthopaedics, your treatment plan may include:
Conservative (Non-Surgical) Treatments:
- Rest and activity modifications to minimize painful activities and reduce strain on the tendon
- Bracing or elbow straps to support the tendon and relieve pain during activity
- Icing and/ or anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain and swelling
- Physical Therapy to strengthen forearm muscles, improve flexibility, and correct movement patterns
- Injection therapies such as corticosteroid injections for temporary pain relief or platelet-rich plasma injections (PRP) to support tendon healing
Surgical Treatment:
Surgery as treatment for tennis elbow is rare and only recommended when symptoms persist after continued conservative care. If surgery is recommended, Suburban Orthopaedics specialists use minimally invasive techniques to remove damaged tissue and restore healthy tendon function.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Recovery time for tennis elbow varies, but most patients can improve within 6-12 weeks with conservative treatment. The healing process may take longer in more persistent cases or if significant tendon degeneration is present. Early intervention, including physical therapy, can significantly improve outcomes and reduce recurrence.
Can I Prevent Tennis Elbow?
By utilizing a few simple precautions, you can prevent tennis elbow or prevent it from recurring. Wear protective gear during sports, warm up before exercising, and stretch afterwards. Never push through pain; giving your body the time it needs to rest and recover is the best way to prevent overuse.
Same-Day Appointments Available
Whether your elbow pain is new or ongoing, you do not have to manage it alone. If you think you may have developed tennis elbow, or if your pain is getting worse, do not wait to get it checked. Suburban Orthopaedics offers same-day appointments with our top specialists.
Take the first step toward healing. Schedule your appointment today to meet with our elbow pain specialists.
Request an Appointment
At Suburban Orthopaedics, our providers are here to help you. Set up an appointment today.
