The medical condition elbow tendonitis, or tennis elbow, results from inflammation and injury to tendons, which are the soft tissues that attach muscle to bone. It can occur when you overwork the tendons in your elbows by performing repetitive wrist and arm motions, including playing tennis, gardening or using a screwdriver. Although many cases of elbow tendonitis resolve on their own after home treatment, physical therapy involving the use of gentle stretching exercises can help treat and prevent chronic cases of elbow tendonitis. See your doctor if home care fails to improve your tendonitis.
Treatment
The initial treatment of elbow tendonitis, according to the Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma, consists of rest, anti-inflammatory medicines and a stretching and strengthening program. You should maintain a high activity level -- bedrest is usually not recommended or helpful -- while avoiding activities that might worsen your injury. Use ice on the injury, as long as inflammation is present. If your elbow swells, compress and elevate the injury.
Considerations
Stretching exercises for elbow tendonitis include wrist flexion, extension and rotation. The Nicholas Institute recommends holding the stretches for 20 to 30 seconds and repeating them five to 10 times, at least twice a day. Extend the elbow, without pulling and stretching it, to increase the amount of stretch as required. These exercises should not hurt. Avoid stretching to the point of pain.
Types
The prayer stretch gently stretches your wrists and forearms. Put your palms together in front of your chest with your fingers together. Keep your fingers just under your chin and lower your hands toward your waist. Stop when you feel a mild stretch in your forearms and hold the stretch. Controlled stretching can help stiffness from the tennis elbow. Bend, straighten and rotate your wrist using a gentle motion.
Prevention/Solution
MedlinePlus suggests that stretching your forearms before, during and after exercise can help prevent future cases of tennis elbow. Other preventative measures include using the correct grip size and using a two-handed backhand when playing tennis. Wearing an elbow band over the injured area can help prevent further injury and pain.
Warning
If you continue to experience tendonitis pain even after doing the recommended stretches, your doctor might give you a cortisone injection to relieve swelling and inflammation. Continued pain and swelling, even after cortisone treatment, anti-inflammatory medications and a stretching regimen, might require surgical treatment. If you require surgery, your doctor will make a small incision in the outside of your elbow and remove the damaged tissue.
