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Lifestyle and home remedies

By Mayo Clinic staff

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

  • 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.

Over-the-counter pain relievers can also be helpful.

Treatments and drugs
References
  1. Regan WD, et al. Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow). In: DeLee JC, et al. DeLee and Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3143-7..00019-1--sc2&displayedEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3143-7..00019-1--s0145&uniq=213936826&isbn=978-1-4160-3143-7&sid=1037052489. Accessed Aug. 10, 2010.
  2. Jayanthi N. Epicondylitis (tennis and golf elbow). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 10, 2010.
  3. Miller RH, et al. Lateral epicondylitis. In: Canale ST, et al. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/214290188-3/1038084588/1584/342.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-03329-9..50047-7--cesec53_2420. Accessed Aug. 12, 2010.
  4. Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis). American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00068. Accessed Aug. 10, 2010.
  5. Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed Aug. 12, 2010.
DS00469 Oct. 21, 2010

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