Tennis Elbow: Causes, Treatment Options, and When to Consider Hyaluronic Acid Injections

Tennis elbow, medically known as lateral elbow tendinopathy, is a common condition characterised by pain on the outside of the elbow. This pain is often aggravated by activities that involve lifting, gripping, or repetitive use of the forearm.

What causes tennis elbow?

The condition typically develops due to a combination of tendon ageing and overuse. Repetitive strain can lead to small microtears in the tendon, resulting in pain and reduced function.

Early-stage treatment

In the early phase, tennis elbow can usually be managed effectively with simple, conservative treatments, including:

• Wearing an elbow clasp or brace

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  Performing gentle, guided exercises

• Applying anti-inflammatory gels such as ibuprofen to the affected area

In many cases, symptoms improve within 10 days to 6 weeks using these approaches.

For a demonstration of simple exercises, you can visit our YouTube channel here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dvge3eIDxCU

When symptoms persist

If your symptoms are not improving with these initial treatments, injection therapy may be the next step to consider. At Elite Joint Solutions, we offer two main types of injections:

1. Steroid injections

Steroid injections have traditionally been used to reduce pain and inflammation. However, caution is advised. Research has shown that while some patients experience short-term relief, a small percentage may have worse outcomes in the long term due to the potential weakening effect on the tendon.

2. Hyaluronic acid injections (Ostenil Tendon)

An increasingly popular alternative is hyaluronic acid tendon injections. We use a product called Ostenil Tendon, which is specifically designed for tendon-related pain.

This treatment offers:

• Lubrication to improve tendon gliding

• Mannitol, a compound that helps reduce inflammation

One of the key advantages of hyaluronic acid injections is their safety profile. Unlike steroids, they do not have a known long-term weakening effect on the tendon.

They are slightly more expensive, which is one reason they are not widely available on the NHS. However, we are pleased to offer this treatment at Elite Joint Solutions.

Emerging evidence also suggests that hyaluronic acid injections may provide longer-lasting relief compared to steroid injections, making them an excellent option for suitable patients.

Interested in treatment?

If you would like to learn more about your treatment options or find out whether injection therapy is right for you, please contact us at Elite Joint Solutions for further information.