Therapy

But what to do in case of tendonitis of the elbow? An important and quick remedy against (almost) any kind of inflammation is cold. The affected area should therefore be cooled quickly.

However, the ice pack or the like should never be placed directly on the skin – in the worst case this can lead to frostbite of the skin. It is pleasant and effective to cool the area through an envelope (for example, a pillowcase or a thin towel) for 5 to 10 minutes, followed by a break of about 5 minutes. This procedure can be repeated for as long as desired.

In addition, the tendon that has become inflamed should be spared if possible. This means that especially the activity or sport that causes the pain should be avoided. In addition, so-called NSAIDs, i.e.

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, i.e. painkillers, are recommended for the treatment of tendon inflammation. Ibuprofen, Voltaren® or also Paracetamol inhibit the pain and fight the inflammation. Taken in tablet form, they can provide short-term relief for those affected.

Since these drugs are of course not a long-term solution, qualified physiotherapy should also be started to strengthen the affected muscles and tendons.All these measures are initially applied for at least six months in the case of acute tendonitis of the elbow. This is known as a conservative therapy attempt, since the aim is to cure the disease without further intervention. If the pain remains unchanged after this period of time has elapsed and/or severely restricts the affected person’s daily activities, surgical treatment of the tendonitis may be considered.

The basic idea behind a treatment of tendonitis in the elbow with the help of bandages is an even compression of the muscles and other structures in the area of the inflamed area. They help with tennis elbow as well as with a golfer’s elbow. Especially after a healed tendon inflammation, a correctly applied bandage can reduce the risk of recurrence.

Prefabricated bandages, which can be purchased, have proven to be just as effective as individually applied tape bandages. Both support the muscles from outside and exert pressure. Bandages can offer a quick and easy solution, especially if you are not confident enough to do the rather complex taping yourself.

This effect can be explained by the fact that the muscles themselves tense up less when pressure is applied from the outside, overload less quickly and thus inflammation occurs later. Regular stretching also helps to lower the so-called resting tone of the muscles and reduces the risk of developing tennis or golf elbow problems. As mentioned above, immobilization and rest are elementary therapeutic principles in the treatment of tendonitis of the elbow.

Nevertheless, plastering of the arm should be avoided – provided that only tendonitis and no other diseases are present. Protection of the joint and muscles can be ensured by much less arduous measures. In the case of immobilization in a plaster cast, there is even an additional risk of aggravating the existing problem.

Depending on the position of the plaster cast and the length of time the cast is worn, the joint will stiffen after some time. Tendons and muscles shorten and the range of movement is reduced. Since a low muscle tone, which is caused by regular stretching, is conducive to recovery, permanent stiffening has the opposite effect in the worst case.

After a long break in the cast, shortened and untrained muscles and tendons are even less resilient than before and the risk of provoking a tennis or golf elbow again is much higher. After exhausting all conservative therapy options and continuing pain, many patients wish for a different solution: many wish for an operation that removes the cause of their problem and ensures freedom from pain. Such an operation is quite possible after the failure of conservative therapy and makes sense from a medical point of view.

For example, in the course of a minimally invasive arthroscopy, part of the chronically inflamed tendon can be ablated and disturbing tissue removed. The muscle function can be taken over by other parts of the tendon or even other muscles, so that no functional impairment is to be expected. In most cases, the pain disappears when the inflamed, irritated tendon is removed.

Unfortunately there is no guarantee for the success of this operation. Since surgery is always accompanied by risks, this step should be carefully thought through and discussed with an experienced doctor. The patient’s complaints do not always improve after an operation.

The most effective and proven home remedy against tendonitis of the elbow is rest! Rest and rest – especially during monotonous activities or sports – are also the best thing you can offer your tendons prophylactically. In addition, it is advisable to always pay attention to the correct technique during sports activities and to execute movements consciously and with concentration.

As already mentioned above, regular, careful stretching is also an effective remedy for tendonitis. Click here for an overview of different stretching exercises Cooling is also classically one of the home remedies for treating inflammation. It can be done quickly and easily with ice, for example.

Also special cool packs, which are stored in the freezer, or quark wraps serve the same purpose. For the latter, a thick layer of regular quark is applied to the affected elbow, covered and left there until all the liquid has evaporated and the quark turns into solid pieces. This procedure can be repeated several times a day.In spite of all these helpful and simple home remedies, you should never forget to consult a doctor in time if necessary.

While both tennis and golf elbows can be treated well in the fresh, acute stage, the therapy becomes much more difficult after the symptoms have persisted for some time. In the drawer of homeopathic medicines, Arnica D12 or Rhus toxicodendron D30 are the best remedies for tendonitis of the elbow. While the former counteracts the inflammation, the latter is considered to be a medicine for the tendons.

Both can significantly improve the symptoms. Under certain circumstances they can also be taken alternately one after the other. If there is very strong pressure pain above the elbow, Symphytum D3 may also be considered.

As a rule, five globules are taken twice a day. However, these indications may vary depending on the individual case and should never be taken without consultation. In general, there is nothing to be said against supporting the therapy of an inflammation of the tendon of the elbow with the help of homeopathic medicines.

If sufficient rest and protection as well as good cooling of the affected side are not neglected, there is a good chance for a rapid improvement of the symptoms. However, if this does not occur in a while, it is advisable to consult an experienced doctor as soon as possible and not to postpone the symptoms for too long. Shockwave therapy has become a popular treatment approach.

For many people it is the last step before an operation. The result should be a local tissue irritation and thus an increased blood circulation. The same applies to the release of growth factors for regeneration and tissue formation, the relief of pain and also the acceleration of the healing process.

In order to achieve the effects described above, the head of the shock wave device is placed on the painful area of the elbow that is coated with gel. The shock waves are emitted as ultrasonic waves, which exert pressure on the tissue. Depending on the degree of inflammation and calcification, these waves can be set to low energy or high energy. The shock wave therapy is also intended to promote bone growth. In this therapy, correspondingly higher energetic pressure waves are required.