Introduction
Within the framework of the therapy of tennis elbow, various measures can be taken, which should be based on the severity of the disease, the individual level of suffering and the wishes of the patient. General information about tennis elbow can be found here: Tennis Elbow
Conservative therapy
95% of all tennis elbows can be brought to complete freedom from symptoms with conservative measures. There are many different measures competing against each other. There is not the best therapy, but the applied treatment measures must be adapted to the individual case.
Conservative measures can be considered. Minor damage to the tendon, so-called micro lesions, can be treated very conservatively. If pain is the main focus, we have written a completely separate topic for this: Pain with tennis elbow
- Complete immobilization of the elbow joint is contraindicated.
- BandageCuffsClips More information about the tennis elbow bandage you will find under our topic: Tennis elbow bandage
- Injections of cortisone and/or Zeel and local anaesthetic Cortisone can be injected locally.
Cortisone is a steroid hormone derived from cholesterol. They have an anti-inflammatory effect just like the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The disadvantage of this application is that although there is rapid relief of symptoms (especially pain), spontaneous healing is delayed.
- Shock wave therapy Shock wave therapy should always be considered before surgery.
The effect of shock waves is probably based on the fact that regenerative processes are stimulated and thus self-healing is activated.
- Tape treatment
- Irradiation (X-ray stimulation)
- Acupuncture
- Drugs
- Ointment treatment Components of these ointment dressings are cortisone preparations or creams containing diclofenac (e.g. Voltaren emulgel), which have an anti-inflammatory and thus pain-relieving effect.
- Physiotherapy Physiotherapeutic exercises should only be used when the patient is largely pain-free. It is important here to take sufficient breaks from physical activity. Manual therapy in the context of physiotherapy: In the context of physiotherapy, treatment successes can be seen with the so-called transverse friction, a special massage of the muscle tendons.
The local blood circulation of the tendons is thus promoted and the muscle tone is reduced, resulting in overall relaxation. The manual therapy also includes functional massages and an extensive stretching of the extensors of the forearm (stretching muscles).
- Cryotherapy (Cryotherapy) For local pain relief, cryotherapy is a good option. Cryotherapy is a medical treatment using cold.
Local cryotherapy is used to reduce swelling and relieve pain.
- Stretching exercises Eccentric training is also recommended to stretch the extensors. Eccentric training is characterized by the fact that a load is slowed down. This means that the muscles under stress are not shortened but stretched.
- Acupuncture
- Leech treatment
- Botulinum toxin treatment If the symptoms persist, there is also the possibility of injecting botulinum toxin in low doses into the muscle.
After the injection, the nerve toxin paralyzes the muscle for two to three months so that it can recover. The effect then diminishes. The symptoms should then at least be relieved, if not even disappear. Unfortunately, there are no major studies on the use of botulinum toxin for tennis elbow.