Elbow epicondylitis: Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow treatment

How often do you feel elbow pain after a hard day at work or after playing sports? Many people do not pay attention to these signals until they become constant and restrict their daily activities. Inflammation of the tendons in the elbow area is called epicondylitis and can affect anyone, regardless of whether they exercise actively, type on a computer extensively, or perform repetitive movements with their arm. The pain often starts gradually but can intensify over time, so it is important to pay attention to it early on.

In the following paragraphs we will explain what epicondylitis is, what are the most common causes for it and what therapies we apply at PhysioArt to relieve pain and restore normal arm function.

What is epicondylitis?

Epicondylitis is an inflammation of the tendons that connect the muscles of the forearm to the bones in the elbow area. These tendons attach to two main points on the elbow – the medial (inner) and lateral (outer) epicondyles. When the tendons are overworked, they can become inflamed. This leads to еlbow pain, which can be felt when grasping objects, raising the arm, or even during everyday movements such as writing or cooking.

Types of epicondylitis

Lateral epicondylitis (Tennis elbow)

Lateral epicondylitis is the most common form of the condition. It affects the outer side of the elbow. To determine the correct lateral epicondylitis treatment, it is important to consider how it occurs. Tennis elbow is the result of continuous or repetitive contraction of the forearm muscles to lift and straighten the arm and wrist. This strain can cause small tears in the tendons. Over time, these micro-injuries lead to reduced grip strength.

Other symptoms of tennis elbow include pain when lifting or pain when rotating the arm. It often develops in tennis players, people who work with tools (carpenters, plumbers, knitters), or office workers who spend long hours in front of a computer.

Medial epicondylitis (Golf elbow)

Medial epicondylitis occurs when the inner side of the elbow is affected. It is less common than lateral epicondylitis, but can also cause severe pain and limited mobility of the arm. Before deciding on the appropriate medial epicondylitis treatment, it should be noted that golfer’s elbow is associated with regular, repetitive movements of the forearm and wrist.

Repetitive strain causes tears in the tendons, and patients complain of reduced grip strength and pain when lifting or rotating the arm. People who are particularly at risk are golfers and baseball players, cooks and bakers, as well as workers who pull or lift heavy objects.

What is appropriate for epicondylitis treatment?

The first and most important thing is to ensure you get plenty of rest and limit the strain on your elbow. Try to avoid movements and activities that elbow pain causes. Resting allows the tendons to recover and reduces inflammation. It is important to listen to your body—if you feel that a certain movement causes pain, look for alternative ways to perform the task.

It should also be mentioned that part of the treatment for epicondylitis of the elbow joint may involve taking medication. Conservative treatment usually includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), analgesics, and other pain relief medications.

Compresses can also be used for epicondylitis. It is important to remember that cold compresses reduce inflammation and swelling, while warm compresses are used to relax the muscles and improve blood circulation.

The best results are achieved by combining rehabilitation exercises and physiotherapy procedures.

How long does it take to treat epicondylitis of the elbow?

The recovery time depends on the type of epicondylitis, the degree of damage, and, last but not least, the chosen treatment method and compliance with the doctor’s recommendations. There is no universal answer to the questions How long does tennis elbow last and How long does golfer’s elbow last.

Physiotherapy is recommended for both golf and tennis elbow. In most cases, full recovery occurs within 4 to 8 weeks if the therapies are combined with rest, proper exercise, and avoiding strain. In older or chronic cases, the process may take longer – up to 3 months, and sometimes up to 6-12 months if the tendons are severely inflamed.

The sooner you start your tennis elbow treatment, the better. Delaying can prolong recovery and make the pain permanent. This is why it is important to see a specialist and start appropriate therapy at the first signs of discomfort or tension in the elbow area. The same applies for medial epicondylitis. Starting the golfer’s elbow treatment prescribed by a specialist in a timely manner will help relieve the pain more quickly and restore normal mobility to the arm.

Tennis and golfers elbow treatment at PhysioArt, Sofia

Epicondylitis is a common and painful condition of the elbow joint that can significantly interfere with daily activities. At PhysioArt, we know how unpleasant elbow pain can be, so we develop treatment programs that will restore your freedom of movement. Some of the therapies we use are:

High-frequency magnetic field - Magnetotherapy works through high-frequency magnetic fields that stimulate blood circulation and accelerate recovery processes. Benefits include reducing inflammation and swelling, relieving stiff elbow pain, and improving elbow joint mobility.
Shockwave therapy - This method uses shock waves to stimulate natural healing processes in the affected area. The therapy helps improve blood circulation and metabolism in the tissues, which is key to faster recovery and regeneration of damaged tendons.

We know exactly how to help you. Don’t hesitate to contact us. The exact address of our physiotherapy and rehabilitation center is Sofia, 21 Prof. Fritjof Nansen St. (Toraks 2 Medical Center, 2nd floor). For more information, call us at +359 89 872 4175, and feel free to read more useful articles on our blog.