How Long Does Tennis Elbow Last? 5 Factors to Consider

Although the name may be misleading, tennis elbow can affect anyone with overuse of the forearms, wrists, or hands. From athletes to carpenters and cooks, anyone who experiences repetitive arm movements is at risk of this injury. If left untreated, the condition can worsen, making it more challenging to treat and increasing the recovery time.

So you’re probably wondering, how long does tennis elbow last? Let’s take a look at the factors that contribute to how long tennis elbow lasts and what you can do to speed up your recovery.

Factors to Consider for a Swift Tennis Elbow Recovery

Recovery time for tennis elbow can be unpredictable, lasting weeks, months, or even years. Although the tendon can take up to six months to a year to heal fully, relief can come much sooner than that with proper treatment.

Consider the following when evaluating how long it takes to recover from tennis elbow:

1. Age — As we age, our body's ability to heal naturally tends to slow down, making the recovery take longer than someone much younger in age.
2. Severity of the Injury — This is one of the biggest factors in determining how long tennis elbow will last. Mild cases can last a few weeks, while severe cases can linger for months or years.
3. Lifestyle Habits — Some habits can be damaging to your body’s healing process. Sticking to healthy habits shortens the recovery time needed for tennis elbow.
4. Level of Pain —  Tennis elbow can vary from being mildly uncomfortable to extremely painful. Generally speaking, those with a higher level of pain may need to give their bodies more time to heal, while pain relief measures can help to ease discomfort.
5. Medical Treatment — How you treat your tennis elbow has a big impact on recovery time. Ice, rest, and physical therapy can all help speed things up. Severe cases may require more invasive treatments, so it’s important to seek medical advice.

How Long Does Tennis Elbow Last?

So to conclude, how long does tennis elbow last?

Well, unfortunately, there's no definitive answer. It varies from person to person based on the severity of the injury, how it's treated, and the other factors we just covered. But as a general rule of thumb, mild cases can clear up in a few weeks, while severe cases can last up to a year or more.

Speeding Up Your Tennis Elbow Recovery

The pain and tenderness from tennis elbow can completely disrupt your lifestyle — even simple activities like holding a cup or brushing your teeth could become difficult and painful.

The last thing you want is your tennis elbow to last forever and affect your quality of life, but healing does take time and a little dedication to get you back in shape. Don’t push through the pain, it will only make your symptoms worse. Your body needs rest, ice, and simple stretches to get on track to healthy healing.

With the help of targeted physical therapy exercises and manual therapies, you can reduce your pain, regain motion and quickly improve your overall function. The therapists at Luna are experienced in creating an individualized, in-home treatment plan which helps with long-term recovery from tennis elbow. 

Get back to your lifestyle with the help of a Luna Therapist. Contact us to get started on a smooth recovery.