What Exactly Is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a condition where the outer part of your elbow becomes painful and swollen. It happens when the forearm muscles and tendons are overused, especially from repeated movements. The tendon most often affected is the extensor carpi radialis brevis, which connects the forearm muscles to the bony bump on the outside of the elbow.
Phases and Progression of Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow usually gets better in 6 to 12 weeks with basic treatments like rest, ice, and rehab exercises. But in some cases, the pain can last for several months or even over a year, especially if the injury is serious or treatment is delayed. If not treated properly, symptoms could last up to two years, which is why it’s important to start treatment early and stick to it. How long recovery takes depends on a few things:
- Severity of the injury
- Timing of beginning the treatment
- How well you follow the treatment plan
Most people start feeling better within a few weeks, but full recovery can take several months.
Treatment Options and Their Impact on Duration
Tennis elbow is usually treated with simple, nonsurgical methods at first, which can make a big difference in how long the symptoms last. The main goal is to reduce strain on the injured tendon and support healing. Rest and avoiding painful activities help calm inflammation and start recovery. Physical therapy with stretching and strengthening exercises can make the forearm muscles stronger and improve tendon function, often easing pain over time.
Wearing a brace or forearm strap during activities can take pressure off the tendon and support healing. Pain relievers like ibuprofen (NSAIDs) can help with short-term relief, but don’t speed up long-term healing. In some cases, a corticosteroid injection may quickly reduce pain, but it doesn’t improve long-term recovery and could delay full healing if used too often.
Other treatments, like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, dry needling, or shock wave therapy, may help in some cases but are not proven for everyone. Surgery is usually a last resort, used when symptoms haven’t improved after 6 to 12 months of consistent treatment. It involves removing the damaged tissue and repairing the tendon, with arthroscopic (minimally invasive) surgery offering quicker recovery than open surgery. Starting treatment early and following it closely often leads to improvement within 6 to 12 weeks, but some people need a few months to fully recover. Surgery can help in stubborn cases, but it also requires extra time for healing afterward.
Trusted By The Houston Community
Patient Reviews
Tom Conklin
Gilmer Phillips
Jack Roland
Peffley Nazlin
Thank you for a pleasant experience! The front office staff as well as the medical staff made me feel like family. They answered all my questions and I didn't feel rushed. The wait time was also less than 5 minutes of my scheduled appointment.
A M
Very enjoyable experience, the people are super nice and extremely knowledgeable. I highly recommend Dr Cusick and his team
Robert Peeler
Kyle Powell
Kathy Zenker
DR CUSICK was very thorough. He explain everything so I could understand. I didn't feel like I was being rushed through.he took time with me
Sandy Coalson
Wrapping Up
Tennis elbow recovery varies from person to person. With rest, exercises, and avoiding painful activities, most people feel much better in 6 to 12 weeks. However, in some cases, symptoms can last for several months or even up to two years. Although it can be slow to heal, most people fully recover with proper care and can return to their normal activities without pain.
Visit a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Michael C. Cusick, MD, for elbow and shoulder injuries. Our doctor has completed a Shoulder & Elbow surgery fellowship at the Florida Orthopedic Institute in Tampa, FL. Call us at (713) 794-3599 to quickly book an appointment.
