Home
Bupa members

Support and offers for individual members and customers

Tennis elbow Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, July 2009.

Answers to questions about tennis elbow

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

 

Can tennis elbow be treated with acupuncture?

Although acupuncture is often used for the treatment of tennis elbow, there is little evidence to suggest that it's beneficial.

Explanation

There is conflicting evidence for the benefits of using acupuncture to treat tennis elbow. Some research suggests that acupuncture may ease pain and improve movement in your elbow over a few weeks but not in the longer term. However, the evidence isn't clear and more research is needed.

If you wish to try acupuncture for elbow pain you should visit a practitioner who is registered with a professional body. It's important that you spend time looking for a practitioner who has full insurance cover. You should also find an acupuncturist who understands your needs and makes you feel at ease. The British Acupuncture Council and the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP) has a list of members.

You should begin to notice any changes after four to six sessions of acupuncture. If you don't see any improvement in your condition, you may wish to try another type of treatment.

Further information

Sources

  • Green S, Buchbinder R, Barnsley L, et al. Acupuncture for lateral elbow pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2002, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD003527. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003527 www.cochrane.org
  • Acupuncture for elbow pain. Bandolier. www.medicine.ox.ac.uk, 25 February 2009
  • Tennis elbow. Treatments. BMJ Clinical Evidence. www.clinicalevidence.bmj.com, accessed 25 February 2009
  • Tennis elbow. Evidence. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. www.cks.library.nhs.uk, accessed 25 February 2009
  • Questions and answers. British Acupuncture Council. www.acupuncture.org.uk, accessed 25 February 2009
back to top

What's the difference between tennis elbow and golfer's elbow?

Tennis elbow causes pain around the outside of the elbow and can spread to the forearm. Golfer's elbow is similar to tennis elbow but the pain occurs on the inside of the elbow.

Explanation

Tennis elbow is also known as lateral epicondylitis because it affects the outside of your elbow. Golfer's elbow is a similar condition to tennis elbow but it affects the inside of your elbow. The medical term for golfer's elbow is medial epicondylitis and it's caused by overuse of the wrist tendon attached to the inside of your elbow.

Golfer's elbow is less common than tennis elbow and can develop when you're playing golf or serving a tennis ball. The symptoms of golfer's elbow include pain and sometimes a tingling and numb sensation in the fourth and little fingers of your hand on the affected arm.

Treatment of golfer's elbow is similar to that of tennis elbow. Initially you should rest your arm and avoid any movement that causes pain. You can take anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen and apply an ice pack to reduce pain and swelling. You should begin rehabilitation as soon as possible with a physiotherapist. He or she will be able to advise you on a specific muscle-strengthening programme. You may find an arm brace useful. Corticosteroid injections are rarely used and surgery is an option if your symptoms continue.

Sources

  • Medial Epicondylitis. eMedicine. www.emedicine.medscape.com, accessed 25 February 2009
  • MacAuley D. Oxford handbook of sport and exercise medicine. 1st ed. Oxford University Press. 2007:388
back to top

Can I have a reaction to corticosteroid injections?

Yes, some people can have unwanted side-effects after a corticosteroid injection.

Explanation

Corticosteroids can be used to treat tennis elbow to help relieve pain and inflammation. Your doctor may suggest a course of steroid injections if other treatments aren't working.

Pain relief from steroid injections may only last a few weeks or months and the pain may come back. There is little evidence to show the long-term benefits of these injections.

Some people experience slight discomfort at the site of the injection. Corticosteroids are usually combined with a local anaesthetic to help prevent this. Other possible side-effects include:

  • a flushed face
  • pain
  • thinning of the skin
  • loss of colour from the nearby skin
  • rupture of the tendon
  • an alteration in your body's ability to control blood glucose levels (this could be relevant if you have diabetes)
  • infection in the elbow joint or the tissues around the joint

Corticosteroid injections can very rarely result in an allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, or anaphylactic shock. This is a very severe type of reaction affecting your whole body, causing swelling, loss of consciousness, low blood pressure and breathing problems. Although this is rare, you will be asked to wait for at least 30 minutes after the injection to check that you don't have an anaphylactic reaction.

Your doctor will discuss the risk of possible side-effects with you in more detail. After discussion with your doctor about the risks and benefits, you will always be given the chance to decline treatment if you wish.

Further information

Sources

back to top

Related topics

back to top

This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: July 2009

 

Rate this page

Up to £100 off a Bupa Health assessment

Bupa health insurance

Free online health check

Bupa Care Homes

Bupa travel cover