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Updates on the Treatment of Tennis Elbow

Last updated on February 21, 2020 By Dan Baumstark, MSPT, CHT Leave a Comment


Last year I had the opportunity to attend a conference here in Washington, D.C., that focused on upper extremity injuries. I attended a specific lecture on the nasty, nagging, and otherwise problematic diagnosis of “tennis elbow.”

It does appear that the medical community is making some discernible changes in terms of how this diagnosis is treated. Here is a quick update that may prove useful in terms of dealing with management.

1. Recent studies are pointing to the notion that cortisone injections are largely ineffective at getting rid of this problem. Longitudinal data in some studies suggest that re-occurrence of irritation is not affected by a cortisone injection. This may be due to the notion that extensor tendons – at the attachment sites on the elbow – are not covered by a synovial membrane. (Cortisone has been shown to be more effective in calming inflammation where synovial membranes are present.)

2. In most cases, tennis elbow will resolve by itself within one year. Some data points to as figures as high as 80-85% of cases healing spontaneously. We physical therapists tend to see the 10-15% of problematic cases.

3. Tennis elbow is a degenerative process when it is present for long periods of time. The tendons start to fray and degrade, and in some cases they will detach from the bone entirely.

In terms of conservative treatment (immobilization, exercise, etc.), take a look at our previous blog for ideas and strategies!

Filed Under: Exercise & Fitness, Orthopedic Injury



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About Dan Baumstark, MSPT, CHT

Dan is a licensed Physical Therapist in the District of Columbia, license #PT2916. He has a Masters of Science degree in Physical Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis, MO. Dan specializes in sports medicine & upper extremity rehabilitation. He is a Certified Hand Therapist, certified by the American Society of Hand Therapists (initial certification date 11/6/2004, certification #1041100023). Dan has extensive continuing education in manual therapy from the Michigan State University School of Osteopathic Medicine.
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PhysioDC is a unique, physical therapist owned & operated rehabilitation clinic conveniently located in downtown Washington, D.C.

DISCLAIMER: The information on this site is for Educational Purposes Only and is not designed to diagnose, treat, mitigate, prevent or cure any health conditions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated statements about these health topics or any suggested product compositions. Answers to questions submitted are merely the opinion of the physical therapist and should not be taken as a prescribed course of action. Any advice given by the therapist must be cleared with the treating physician involved in direct patient care. The person posing the question absolves the responder of any liability in regards to opinions given. PhysioDC insists that all patients receive approval from a prescribing physician prior to starting a structured exercise program involving any of the exercises included on this site. PhysioDC.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com; proceeds from product sales help cover the operational & maintenance costs for the site.