The Healthy What is Tennis Elbow Causes Symptoms and Treatment Skip to main content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Menu Close Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 toggle search form Close Los Angeles, 27 December 2021 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles The Healthy What is Tennis Elbow Causes Symptoms and Treatment Patients should approach rehab from a tennis elbow injury as "more of a marathon than a sprint," says orthopaedic surgeon Brian Lee, MD, of Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute. Photo by Getty Images. Tennis Racket Swing Sporting Hobby Playing Concept The Healthy recently featured orthopaedic surgeon Brian Lee, MD, of Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute, discussing tennis elbow, a condition that isn't exclusive to those who play tennis. Officially called lateral epicondylitis, tennis elbow is caused by overuse of the extensor carpi radialis brevis, a small muscle in the forearm that assists with extending the wrist. It can cause weak grip strength and pain on the outside of the elbow and when extending the wrist backward. Because arthritis, nerve compression, tendinitis and other conditions can cause similar symptoms, Lee recommended evaluation by a physician as a first step, sooner rather than later. "Continuing to 'play through' pain or use injured muscles or tendons can make the problem worse," he told The Healthy. For most individuals suffering from tennis elbow, physical therapy that includes "icing and heating, anti-inflammatory measures, stretching, and eventual muscle stimulation and strengthening" is the best treatment, according to Lee. Because recovery can take as long as 12 months, he advised patients to approach rehabilitation as "more of a marathon than a sprint." If symptoms don't improve after several months of physical therapy, Lee said that anti-inflammatory medication and bracing during activities that cause elbow pain might help. He recommended choosing an adjustable, circular brace long enough to fit around the forearm. "Braces with Velcro allow you to customize the support to your elbow," he told The Healthy. Lee said surgical intervention, which is effective but a last resort, might be needed if other forms of treatment fail. Click here to read the complete article from The Healthy. Related Stories RSS feed - Related Stories (opens in new window) View all headlines - Related Stories HealthDay Black Women Less Likely to Get Laparoscopic Fibroid Surgeries October 07, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles HealthDay recently interviewed Rebecca J. Schneyer, MD, a resident in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program at Cedars-Sinai, about a study she led that found Black and Hispanic women were less likely than white women to receive minimally … Read more KCRW Want New Omicron Booster Wait at Least 2 Months After Last Shot October 06, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles KCRW program Press Play recently featured Rita Shane, PharmD, vice president and chief pharmacy officer at Cedars-Sinai, discussing who qualifies for the updated COVID-19 booster and how long patients must wait before getting the shot.The Centers … Read more ABC 7 Spider-Man Swings by 4-Year-Old Leukemia Patient s Birthday Party at Cedars-Sinai September 30, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles ABC 7 recently profiled Cedars-Sinai patient Jabari Henley, who celebrated his fourth birthday with a special superhero at Guerin Children's newly opened inpatient facility.The Lifedriven Foundation helped throw Henley a surprise party in the Guerin … Read more Show previous items Show next items Contact the Media Team Email: [email protected] Share this release The Healthy What is Tennis Elbow Causes Symptoms and Treatment Share on: Twitter Share on: Facebook Share on: LinkedIn Search Our Newsroom Social media Visit our Facebook page (opens in new window) Follow us on Twitter (opens in new window) Visit our Youtube profile (opens in new window) (opens in new window) Latest news 07 Oct 2022 - HealthDay Black Women Less Likely to Get Laparoscopic Fibroid Surgeries 07 Oct 2022 - Faculty Publications: Sept. 29-Oct. 6 07 Oct 2022 - Fine-Tuning Organ-Chip Technology 06 Oct 2022 - KCRW Want New Omicron Booster Wait at Least 2 Months After Last Shot 05 Oct 2022 - Cedars-Sinai Schedules Free Flu Vaccine Clinics 04 Oct 2022 - Cedars-Sinai Showcases Hispanic and Latinx Art Newsroom Home