How long does tennis elbow take to heal?

Have had tennis elbow on both sides for months. Am trying to do as little as possible but have to run house, work and look after children. Have stopped the sport that caused the problem but still not right. Any help or ideas out there.

about 2 sets

6-8 weeks usually with rest

Tennis elbow can be permanent unfortunately. If you're still having problems, you may need to get cortizone injections. They hurt, but they help too. My advice is alternate with heat and ice packs when you're in pain, and take anti-inflammatories before any activities that promote it.

Very likely, never. Go and see tour GP for advice. It is an extremely painful condition caused by not warming up before practice and overdoing the whacking. You have damaged joints and tendons.

It depends on the severity of the inflammation and how well you heal. Tennis elbow is rather like carpal tunnel syndrome, if you don't use the elbow in the fashion that irritated it you won't suffer the pain. However your tennis career just took a major hit, you can use it if you can stand the pain, but you will always have a better chance of reaggravating the injury.

I have tennis elbow too and had to have a cortizone shot (NEVER AGAIN VERY PAINFUL) about 2 months ago when it flared up and i know it is hard to not over do it but sometimes you just have to do what needs to be done and with tennis elbow you never know when it is going to flare-up again because i have been careful too and it still flared-up!! Good Luck!!!!

It well never be fully gone, as it is caused by damaged tendons - they never fully re-heal. However, with time, stretching, building of the muscles surrounding the problem, the use of anti-inflammitories and ice and heat presses the symptoms can be severly reduced. As for how long to rest - this depends entirely on your over all fitness, your recovery rate, what you plan on doing once you've stopped resting, what treatment you are taking. I have a similar problem with my knee and I find when it is at its worst a few days rest does me - but I am very fit and have a very fast recovery rate. If you do nothing to make it better then it may never feel better. You would be best seeing a sport injury consultant who can better advise you based on the factors metioned above, and could show you some exercises and stretches to help alleviate and stop the symptoms...

It might never go away. You can take antinflamatories. Get a cortazone injection. (the injection is painful but it does help) And do some physical therapy

I to suffer this,it can be very painful,got injection once, never again too painful,I dont think it ever goes away,I use heat pads,which seem to work,

Tennis Elbow is a bit of a catch all term, unless it has been diagnosed by an MD as lateral epicondylitis which is a strain due to irritation of the tendons of the forearm muscles where they attach to the elbow. Otherwise, it may just be a chronic sprain.

Strains are injuries that affect muscles or tendons, thick bands that attach muscles to bones. They occur in response to a quick tear, twist, or pull of the muscle. Strains are an acute type of injury that results from overstretching or over contraction. Pain, weakness, and muscle spasms are common symptoms experienced after a strain occurs.

Sprains are injuries that affect ligaments, thick bands of cartilage that attach bone to bone. They occur in response to a stretch or tear of a ligament. Sprains are an acute type of injury that results from trauma such as a fall or outside force that displaces the surrounding joint from its normal alignment. Sprains can range from a mild ligamentous stretch to a complete tear. Bruising, swelling, instability, and painful movement are common symptoms experienced after a sprain occurs.

RICE is the acronym used for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. It is used as the best initial treatment of soft tissue injuries such as sprains, strains, and contusions. The combination of RICE helps reduce inflammation that occurs after acute injury. It is important to remember that the earlier this treatment is put into place, the more effective it is.

Rest: Rest and protect the injured area.

Ice: Apply ice to the injury. The cold will reduce swelling and pain at the injured site. This step should be done as soon as possible. Apply the frozen object to the area for 20 minutes three times a day for the first 48 hours.

Compression: Compress the injured site. This will decreases swelling of the injured region. Although the wrap should be snug, make sure it is not too tight as this can cause numbness, tingling, or increased pain.

Elevation: Elevate the injured area above the level of the heart as much as possible. This technique will also assist in reducing the amount of swelling to the injured site.

Once the pain and swelling are eliminated, you should start gradual range of motion exercises but not to the point of pain. Each day your range of motion will increase slightly. Continue until you have complete range of motion. Than start gentle strengthening exercises to re-build the strength in the elbow.

The length of time for healing is dependent upon how much you are able to control the swelling and rest the injury. Each time you feel pain, you are slightly re-injuring the elbow and delaying healing time. Very frustrating.

When you are ready to return to participation, you may want to consult a tennis pro regarding a change in Stroke Mechanics & Racquet to prevent future occurrence.

See http://www.coldoneinc.com/elbow_wrap.htm...

Good Luck

how long is a piece of string
it varies from person to person but you may need a cortisone injection