Tennis Elbow: Prevention and Complications

Prevention Tips

• The key to preventing tennis elbow is to avoid overuse. Stop if you feel any elbow pain during an activity
• Before playing a sport that involves repetitive arm movements, warm up properly and gently stretch your arm muscles to help avoid injury
• Use lightweight tools or racquets and enlarge their grip size to help you avoid putting excess strain on your tendons
• Ice your elbow after exercise if there is discomfort and review the pain with gentle exercise next time.
• Wear a tennis elbow splint when you are using your arm, and take it off while you are resting or sleeping to help prevent further damage to your tendons

Watch Out

When to See Doctor

• Severe elbow pain which interferes with your daily activities
• Self-care steps such as rest, ice and use of over-the-counter pain relievers donot ease your elbow pain and tenderness
• Fever or notice that the skin around your elbow is red and warm to the touch