Do Braces Work to Treat Tennis Elbow?
Nov 24, 2015
Tennis elbow is a repetitive stress condition in which the tendons in the elbow and forearm degrade and/or become inflamed. We have talked at length about the condition previously on this site. In this article, we are going to talk about the effectiveness of wearing a brace for tennis elbow. We’ll discuss when bracing can be used and when alternative treatment options are necessary.
Bracing is a common treatment method for tennis elbow and related conditions (like golf elbow). Braces work by applying pressure to the muscles below the elbow. The goal of bracing is to reduce pain and increase a person’s ability to freely move their arm and elbow. But bracing on its own does not always accomplish that aim. Elbow tendonitis takes time a long time to heal. Bracing alone can provide some temporary relief, but the pain will typically return soon after the brace is removed. For that reason, a multi-faceted approach to treatment often provides the best long-term results.
In certain situations, bracing is simply not enough to treat the symptoms of tennis elbow. Bracing is considered a conservative treatment since it’s not very invasive. If a patient continues to experience pain and decreased elbow mobility after using a brace, other treatments should be considered. Pain injections can be quite effective in treating tennis elbow pain. Corticosteroid injections, as well as nerve block injections can provide significant pain relief and allow patients to resume their favorite activities. PRP injections can also be beneficial in rebuilding damaged tissue in the elbow, and relieving pain in the process. The best treatments are tailored to each particular patient and often combine many of these options.
Contact Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN today for help treating your tennis elbow symptoms. Our providers have decades of combined experience treating Minnesotans with elbow pain. Make your appointment today to talk about your condition and form a treatment strategy.