Tennis Elbow

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Causes

Signs/Symptoms

Care

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

• Put ice on the injury for 15 to 20 minutes each hour for the first 1 to 2 days. Put the ice in a plastic bag and place a towel between the bag of ice and your skin.
• After the first 1 to 2 days, you may put heat on the injury to help relieve the pain. Use a heating pad (set on low); a whirlpool bath; or warm, moist towels for 15 to 20 minutes every hour for 48 hours.
• For the first 48 hours, keep your elbow lifted above the level of your heart whenever you can. This will reduce the pain and swelling. Try propping your elbow on the back of the couch while you are sitting down or raising it on some pillows while you are lying down.
• Wear a splint for a few days to keep your elbow from moving.
• You may take over-the-counter pain killers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin.
• Do not do the activity that caused the problem until your symptoms are completely gone. Then slowly restart your normal activities.
• Do the exercises suggested by your doctor.

Call Your Doctor If...

• Your elbow still hurts you after a few weeks.
• You develop a high temperature.