Page 93 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

COMMON CONDITIONS: HEAD, BACK, AND LIMB PROBLEMS 91

Tennis or golfer’s elbow

Also called tendinitis, tennis or golfer’s elbow is inflammation of the tendons where they attach to the bone
at the elbow. The main symptom is pain in the forearm that becomes worse when you try to pick up objects,
shake hands, or use any action that strains the affected tendon. Overuse of your wrist and forearm while
playing sports is the usual cause, although inflammation can also occur when you use a screwdriver or
similar tool too vigorously. Tennis elbow affects the tendon on the outer side of your elbow, and golfer’s
elbow involves the tendon on the inner side.

See your doctor first
DRUG REMEDIES
Make an appointment to see your doctor if:
Analgesics Take acetaminophen (see p.177)
● You develop pain in your elbow after an injury
or ibuprofen (see p.185) to relieve pain. Ibuprofen
● Your elbow is swollen and feels hot
has an anti-inflammatory effect, which will help
reduce any swelling and stiffness.
Counterirritants (see p.181) are creams
What you can do yourself and gels that produce a tingling sensation in the
skin, which soothes pain temporarily. Some products
There are several ways to reduce elbow pain. It’s
have a warming effect and increase blood flow to
important to start treatment as soon as possible.
the area; others have a cooling effect.
● Rest your arm and hand whenever you can, and
reduce activities that put strain on the tendon.
● Apply an ice pack (such as a bag of frozen peas
PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE
or crushed ice, wrapped in a wet towel) to the
painful area. Hold in place for about 10 minutes.
Elbow stretches Doing these exercises
Reapply 2–3 times a day for the first 2 days.
will warm you up and help to prevent elbow strains.
● Try wearing an elbow strap, available from your
Hold your forearms
pharmacist, to help ease the pain of tendinitis. and hands straight
1 out in front of
● Take an analgesic (see DRUG REMEDIES, right).
you, with your
● Massaging a counterirritant into the sore area palms downward.
may help to soothe pain (see DRUG REMEDIES, right). Lightly clench your
fists and flex your
● When you are ready to resume playing sports, wrists up and
do elbow-stretching exercises before you play down 10 times.
(see PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE, right). Ask your doctor
or physical therapist for advice on other exercises
to strengthen your elbow joint. Hold your arms
and hands straight
2 out in front of
Seek further medical advice you. Keeping
your elbows
Arrange to see your doctor if: straight, rotate
your hands from
● The pain does not start to subside after
palms upward to
1–2 weeks of the treatment described above palms downward
10 times.