Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is the result of repetitive use of the forearm. It is not exclusive to tennis players, and many people in Abu Dhabi are suffering from it. Royal Medical Center delivers advanced, personalized diagnosis and treatment to ease pain and regain strength so you can get back to your life pain-free.
What is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow refers to an overuse of the forearm tendons adjacent to the elbow that become painful. It results in inflammation, mild tendon tearing or degeneration—causing pain, stiffness, and weakness. Frequent motions like lifting, gripping, typing, or racquet sports like squash or tennis are the etiology of tennis elbow.
What are the Symptoms of Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow will also affect your daily activity and general welfare. Early recognition of symptoms is crucial for proper treatment and faster recovery:
- Pain and tenderness over the lateral side of the elbow
- Progressive worsening of pain with wrist and arm movement
- Decrease in grip strength
- Difficulty with simple tasks like shaking hands or holding things
If you experience these symptoms, you must receive a professional evaluation to avoid inflicting further damage and to reinstate normal arm function.
What are the Causes and Risk Factors of Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow results from repetitive stress and overuse, leading to tendon injury. Some of the causes include:
- Repetitive wrist extension or gripping actions
- Poor sporting or manual labor technique
- Sudden increase in the level of activity
- Age, typically in adults between 30-50 years
- Prolonged use of the arm, i.e., carpentry, house painting, plumbing, or typing
Why Consider Royal Medical Center for Tennis Elbow Treatment?
At Royal Medical Center, Abu Dhabi, we offer multidisciplinary tennis elbow treatment that includes advanced medical technology, qualified healthcare workers, and individualized care. We are extremely well-reputed for:
- Distinguished Diagnosis: We use advanced imaging technologies like ultrasound and MRI for accurate diagnosis of the extent of tendon injury.
- Personalized Treatment Plans: Every patient is provided with a treatment plan that suits the extent of their condition, lifestyle, and goals.
- Advanced Therapies: Our therapies include physical therapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), and minimally invasive surgery.
- Specialist Experts: Our orthopedic surgeons, physiotherapists, and pain management specialists coordinate with each other to provide end-to-end treatment.
- Patient-Focused Treatment: We prioritize patient rehabilitation, education, and support to ensure prevention and long-term recovery.
What are the Best Available Treatment Options for Tennis Elbow at Royal Medical Center?
At Abu Dhabi Royal Medical Center, we offer a range of leading-edge and evidence-based tennis elbow treatments for each patient's individual condition and lifestyle. We work to ease the pain, restore function, and help you return to your routine life as soon as possible and safely.
Conservative Treatments
Most tennis elbow cases can be cured without surgery, especially if they are addressed early.
- Rest and Activity Modification: Avoid provocative activities to allow for tendon healing.
- Physical Therapy: Certain exercises increase flexibility, build forearm strength, and aid in tendon healing.
- Medications: NSAID use decreases pain and inflammation.
- Bracing: An Elbow strap or bracing reduces tendon load when doing activities.
- Cold Therapy: Application of ice reduces swelling and pain.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: PRP therapy is a procedure in which an injection of a solution of your platelets is administered into the inflamed region of the tendon. Platelets release growth factors that stimulate the repair and regeneration of tissue. PRP has encouraging outcomes for the relief of pain and acceleration of recovery for patients with tennis elbow.
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT): ESWT uses sound waves to stimulate healing of damaged tendons, reduce inflammation, and increase circulation. It's a simple, non-surgical procedure with no downtime.
Minimally Invasive Surgery: If conservative treatment fails after six months, surgery may be needed. Our orthopedic experts employ minimally invasive surgery to restore function by removing infected tendon tissue and promoting healing with less downtime than conventional surgery.
How Can Tennis Elbow Be Prevented?
Though tennis elbow is a common overuse strain, it can typically be prevented by good technique and prophylaxis. Prevention is what we focus on at Royal Medical Center as part of overall long-term joint and tendon health.
The following are some effective ways of preventing tennis elbow:
- Sports and occupational work technique
- Proper build-up at work
- Elimination of forearm muscle weakness by regular exercise
- Ergonomic tooling and equipment
- Frequent rest breaks in repetitive tasks
Cost of Tennis Elbow Treatment at Royal Medical Center
The cost of tennis elbow treatment at Royal Medical Center will vary with the kind of treatment needed, the severity of the condition, and the specific treatments that will be applied. After diagnosis and consultation, our doctors will recommend the most suitable and effective course of treatment based on your particular requirements. For further details about prices and coverage by insurance, please get in touch with the reception or come to the center personally.
FAQs
Q: How Long Does Tennis Elbow Take to Heal?
A: Tennis elbow may take a few weeks to a few months to get better, depending on the intensity of injury and treatment. Early treatment is most likely to result in faster healing.
Q: Is Surgery Always Necessary for Tennis Elbow?
A: No, surgery is reserved in the majority of cases. The majority of patients heal with nonoperative therapy such as physical therapy, medications, and PRP or shockwave therapy.
Q: Does Tennis Elbow Recur After Treatment?
A: Yes, tennis elbow does return if the initial issue isn't being addressed. Strict adherence to proper technique, strengthening program, and activity modification prevents recurrence.
Q: Are There Any Complications with PRP therapy?
A: PRP is safe because it uses your own blood, but you might have a small side effect, like pain or swelling at the injection site.
Q: Can I Play Sports Even If I Have Tennis Elbow?
A: Rest and avoid irritating activities while being treated. Your doctor or therapist will let you know when and how to gradually return to sports safely.
Conclusion
If you have recurring elbow pain or are sure that you have tennis elbow, make an appointment with an expert doctor before the condition worsens. Our expert medical professionals at Royal Medical Center Abu Dhabi offer modern, tailored treatment that heals your condition, recovers your mobility, and enables you to live normally again with confidence.
No matter whether with physiotherapy, PRP injections, or minimally invasive surgery, we tailor every treatment to your specific needs. Your well-being and rehabilitation are our highest priorities.
Don't let elbow pain restrict your life—Call Royal Medical Center today and begin the path to long-term relief and better health.
