Tennis Elbow Pain

Why Cortisone is Bad for Tennis Elbow

If you have lateral epicondylitis you also have Tennis Elbow, the name has been changed to protect the innocent. Ice will take out the sting after you play a few rounds of tennis. If the ice does not do the trick you can reach for Advil or Aleve. After all Advil and Aleve are anti-inflammatories right? Yes, they are but have you ever wondered why Advil and Aleve do not really help Tennis Elbow? Since you asked, I will tell you.

Tennis Elbow is usually not an inflammatory condition.

Lateral epicondylitis is more often a degenerative condition involving the extensor carpi radialis brevis. In the interest of brevity, we shall call the extensor carpi radialis brevis the ECRB from now on. If you studied Latin you would get the humor, brevity means short. The tendon of the ECRB inserts above the elbow joint. With the repetitive strain on the tendon, it starts to degenerate the tendon, thus weakening the joint and causing you to have lateral epicondylitis. Medial epicondylytis refers to Golfer’s Elbow.

What do you do next for Tennis Elbow?

Your doctor may recommend a cortisone shot. If that does not work then maybe a few more cortisone shots should do the trick, right? Well, guess again. Cortisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory but it also suppresses the immune system. I already mentioned that tennis elbow is not an inflammatory condition so treating it with an anti-inflammatory does not make sense now, does it?

Bracing for Tennis Elbow

I firmly believe in bracing for tennis elbow. Any brace that can translate the force on the elbow past the elbow joint is good by my standards. This allows the ECRB to get a break and possibly heal faster. I recommend the Cho-Pat brand for Tennis Elbow, It is comfortable to wear and it is easy to clean.

Best Treatment for Tennis Elbow

Shockwave therapy is fast and efficient if you want your lateral epicondylitis to heal quickly. The treatment stimulates angiogenesis which allows the damaged ECRB tendon to heal. Shockwave for soft tissue injuries is another topic for another day. Shockwave is great for plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and Adhesive Capsulitis. As you are aware of the fact that I am a chiropractor you might be wondering why a chiropractor is treating Tennis Elbow. I would say because those who are treating tennis elbow with anti-inflammatories don’t know what they are doing. Somebody has to help. Thanks any questions?