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Lifestyle and home remedies

By Mayo Clinic staff

Follow the instructions for P.R.I.C.E. — protection, rest, ice, compression, elevation:

  • Protection. Protect your elbow from further injury by not using the joint. If a particular sport or work activity causes symptoms, you may have to stop the activity until your symptoms improve.
  • Rest. Give your elbow a rest. But don't avoid all activity. Sometimes, wearing a forearm splint at night helps reduce morning symptoms.
  • Ice. Use a cold pack, ice massage, slush bath or compression sleeve filled with cold water to limit swelling after an injury. Try to apply ice as soon as possible after the injury.
  • Compression. Use an elastic wrap or bandage to compress the injured area.
  • Elevation. Keep your elbow above heart level when possible to help prevent or limit swelling.
References
  1. Jayanthi N. Epicondylitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 4, 2008.
  2. Sheon RP. Patient information: Elbow tendonitis (tennis and golf elbow). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 4, 2008.
  3. Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis). American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00068&return_link=0. Accessed Aug. 4, 2008.
  4. Calfee RP, et al. Management of lateral epicondylitis: Current concepts. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2008;16(1):19-29.
  5. Assendelft W, Clinical review: Tennis elbow. BMJ. 2003;327(7410):329-330.

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Oct. 25, 2008

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