Taking Care of Tennis Elbow

Taking Care of Tennis Elbow

If you’ve just been diagnosed with tennis elbow, and you don’t play tennis, it’s possible that your job responsibilities are to blame for your pain. Tennis elbow is an overuse injury that may be work-related, especially among patients who are painters, carpenters, plumbers, butchers, and computer workers. It’s important to prioritize your recovery, as trying to work despite your symptoms will only worsen your health. Take advantage of workers’ compensation pay available in San Jose, and stay out of work for as long as your doctor recommends.

Restricting Your Activities

Most patients with tennis elbow can successfully recover without requiring extensive medical care, such as surgery. Ask your doctor about the specific activities you need to avoid for your work-related injury to heal. Ask whether there are any job duties you can safely perform, or whether you can perform some activities with modifications. Your doctor needs to put this information into writing, along with a note about the length of time these restrictions will be in place. This documentation is critical for your workers’ compensation claim. Remember to avoid doing activities at home that would aggravate your injury.

Reducing Painful Inflammation

Tennis elbow occurs when the tendons in the elbow area become inflamed and damaged. You can combat this painful inflammation by applying ice packs for up to 20 minutes at a time. Wrap the ice pack in a towel instead of applying it directly to your skin. Your doctor might suggest taking an over-the-counter or prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). If this medicine isn’t doing enough to relieve your symptoms, you can ask your doctor whether a corticosteroid injection would be appropriate. This should be fully covered by your workers’ compensation insurance.

Working with a Physical Therapist

Not every patient will need to work with a physical therapist to recover, but you should attend these sessions if your doctor thinks it will help. Physical therapists can show you how to strengthen the area safely to support healing and reduce the risk of a recurrent injury.

Exploring Your Surgical Options

Few cases of tennis elbow require surgery. If your doctor recommends surgery, it’s likely because your symptoms have persisted despite six to 12 months of conservative treatment. A workers’ compensation attorney can work closely with you to ensure that you receive the medical care you need.