Have you ever heard about physical therapy programs for tennis elbow and how successful they are?

What is the physical treatment for tennis elbow?

Physical therapy for tennis elbow is an effective, non-surgical method that helps relieve pain and improve the function of the arm that was negatively affected by tendinitis resulting from tennis elbow injury. It also restores normal movement of the elbow and reduces inflammation and irritation. It is one of the most successful treatment methods at the Rehabilitation Center at Al-Mousa Specialist Hospital in Al-Ahsa. Among the most important treatment programs are the following:

1. Pain management program

The first thing a physical and rehabilitation therapist begins when suffering from tennis elbow is a pain management program that includes 3 approved methods:

• • Home care:
    By educating the injured person about the need to avoid any activities that cause pain in the elbow, such as lifting heavy objects, and also by applying cold compresses to the affected area for 15 minutes to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. It is preferable to repeat this 3 times a day and after activities that require great effort.

• • Ultrasound Therapy:
    It is a modern technology that relies on the use of a device that emits high-frequency sound waves and is placed directly on the skin with a rapid circular motion on the affected area to reduce inflammation, repair damaged tissue, while stimulating blood circulation and blood flow.

• • TENS therapy:
    Using a small device that is placed on the skin after applying the gel and sends mild electrical pulses to reduce pain and inflammation. These devices must be used under complete medical supervision.

2. Natural exercises to treat tennis elbow

The treatment program includes applying natural exercises to treat tennis elbow, which are stretching and muscle strengthening exercises:

• • Stretching exercises: These are effective exercises that help reduce tension in the forearm muscles. They sometimes include extending the arm forward with the palm of the hand down, then gently pulling the hand down using the other hand for 30 minutes.

• • Muscle strengthening exercises: These exercises help strengthen the wrist and forearm muscles for daily activity, and include pressing exercises on a rubber ball or lifting light weights with the wrist, and wrist flexion and extension exercises.

3. Manual therapy and massage techniques

Manual therapy and massage techniques are an essential part of physical therapy programs for tennis elbow and include the following:

• Deep tissue massage: 

Massage helps dissolve adhesions caused by tennis elbow injury, and focuses on the painful areas in the tendon, which stimulates the recovery process.

• Move the joint: 

The physical therapist mobilizes the joint to improve movement of the elbow and wrist in case of stiffness, which reduces pressure on the affected tendons and improves performance.

4. Support and prevention program

The support and prevention program aims to relieve pressure on the elbow while correcting playing errors, and includes:

• Awareness and education of the injured:

Such as teaching him how to perform his daily activities, while explaining the importance of exercise during and after treatment.

• Modify activity:

 It includes researching how to use the tools and changing the method in case of error, while adjusting the hand position when writing by hand or through the computer.

• Brace or splint:

 Doctors use special braces for people with tennis elbow, which are placed under the elbow and can be worn while working or exercising.  

Learn about: Electrophysiotherapy I best solution to get rid of pain safely

Symptoms of tennis elbow

Symptoms of tennis elbow vary in severity from one case to another depending on the type and degree of injury, and include the following:

• Feeling pain in the outer part of the elbow that increases gradually, especially when moving the arm.
• Moderate pain spreads from the elbow area to the middle of the forearm to the back of the hand.
• Difficulty holding things or opening lids due to weak hand grip.
• Stiffness and stiffness in the elbow, which increases in the morning upon waking up.
• Inability to lift objects or use some light tools.

Is physical therapy for tennis elbow beneficial?

Of course, physical therapy for tennis elbow is useful because its primary goal is to relieve pain and inflammation, restore the strength and flexibility of the wrist and forearm muscles, in addition to educating the patient on how to correct the motor errors that caused him to develop tennis elbow. Most importantly, physical therapy for tennis elbow protects the patient from recurring the condition in the future.

Complications of tennis elbow

If you neglect physical therapy for tennis elbow or do not adhere to the instructions recommended by the doctor, you may be exposed to complications of tennis elbow, such as:

• Exposure to inflammation of the tendons surrounding the elbow, which leads to gradual tissue damage.
• Severe weakness in the arm and hand muscles, with loss of the ability to grip objects.
• Loss of normal elbow movement, such as complete bending and straightening of the elbow.
• Chronic pain that may last for months or years and does not decrease even with painkillers.
• Inability to perform daily activities such as writing or cooking.

Diagnosis of tennis elbow

Tennis elbow is usually diagnosed at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital to begin treatment with approved medical methods, which are:

1. Conduct a complete medical history of the injured person to ask about the nature and duration of the pain, and the activities that increase its severity.
2. Clinical examination by pressing on the outside of the elbow to find out the point from which the pain begins.
3. Flexibility and strength testing, such as Mill’s test, which includes some movements that confirm tendinitis.
4. Medical imaging: either X-ray to rule out a bone problem, or ultrasound to clarify inflammation in soft tissue, and MRI for chronic cases to detect tendon damage.

Al-Mousa Specialist Hospital includes the best radiology department in Al-Ahsa, which contains the latest and best advanced medical imaging equipment. Imaging and medical reports are done by a group of the best radiology specialist doctors in the Kingdom.

Book your consultation now at Physical therapy At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital.

Treatment of tennis elbow

Of course, the method of treating tennis elbow varies according to the type and severity of the injury. After an accurate and comprehensive diagnosis of the injured person, doctors determine the most appropriate treatment methods from among the following:

1. Drug treatment

In the case of tennis elbow, doctors rely on analgesic medications such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, and anti-inflammatory drugs such as diclofenac to relieve the patient’s pain and combat swelling.

2. Physical therapy for tennis elbow

We mentioned in detail above the physical therapy techniques for people with tennis elbow, which are adopted by doctors and specialists at the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital, as it is an integrated center run by an elite group of the largest and best doctors, orthopedists and physical therapists in the Kingdom.

3. Medical brace or splint

It is a basic method of treatment in many cases, and the doctor recommends wearing a brace during activity or holding objects to reduce pressure on the tendons and relieve pain while moving the joint. 

4. Medical injections

Some doctors rely on medical injections that contain cortisone to treat acute joint inflammation, but they must be used with extreme caution and under continuous medical monitoring. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are also used to regenerate damaged tissue in chronic cases.

5. Surgical intervention

The doctor rarely resorts to surgical intervention in cases of tennis elbow, but if all other treatment methods fail and the pain continues for more than a year, the doctor may resort to a surgical procedure to repair the tendons or get rid of the damaged tissue.

How to prevent tennis elbow?

Dear reader, we offer you some important tips and recommendations for preventing tennis elbow, which are recommended by the specialist doctors at the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital:

1. Use comfortable, lightweight tools, especially the handle, and hold them correctly.
2. Avoid repetitive wrist movement such as forcefully twisting the wrist several times without a rest period.
3. Wear a brace and compression bandage during physical activity to reduce pressure on the tendons.
4. Learn how to use the computer while typing while maintaining proper posture to reduce the load on the elbow.
5. Practice strengthening and stretching exercises to strengthen the forearm and wrist muscles, especially with repetitive manual activity.
6. Maintain daily exercise under the supervision of a specialized athlete, to improve physical fitness and enhance muscle and joint strength, which reduces the chances of injury.  

Frequently asked questions

Below we answer the most frequently asked questions about treating tennis elbow:

Does tennis elbow heal?

Yes, tennis elbow heals completely in most cases with adherence to physical therapy for tennis elbow with a specialized doctor and in an accredited rehabilitation center such as the Rehabilitation and Pain Management Center at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital, and adherence to the doctor’s instructions.

How long does it take for tennis elbow to heal?

In mild cases, recovery of tennis elbow may take from one and a half to 3 months, with follow-up physical therapy and rest. In chronic cases, recovery may take 6 months, but complete recovery may take longer, so you must be patient.

What is the best treatment for tennis elbow?

Approved physical therapy programs, along with awareness and education of the injured person, are the best treatment for tennis elbow, and speed is essential to prevent the pain from getting worse. To inquire about approved treatment programs, you can contact the numbers of Al Mousa Specialist Hospital.

Contact the Injury Rehabilitation Center at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital immediately and start physical therapy programs for tennis elbow until you regain your activity again. Our recovery stories speak for themselves and highlight the extent of the distinction of the Physiotherapy Center at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital until it has become one of the pioneers of occupational therapy programs for adults and children. Do not hesitate, we are waiting for you.

المصادر:

Tennis Elbow Management – physio-pedia

Physiotherapy Techniques Used in the Treatment of Tennis Elbow – nih