Tennis elbow the most common tennis injury

NEW YORK, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- The most common upper-extremity complaint among U.S. recreational tennis players is tennis elbow, an expert says.

Tennis elbow should not be overlooked just because it's so common, according to Dr. Kevin Plancher, a New York orthopedist.

"If there is regular pain, it is important to see a doctor to start treatment before the situation gets worse," said Plancher. "The most effective treatment for 95 percent of the cases is non-operative and involves rest, ice, compression and elevation, known as RICE. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, and corticosteroid injections are sometimes prescribed, as well."

However, in severe cases, where tennis elbow does not respond to the conventional treatments, there is a safe, minimally invasive arthroscopic surgical procedure to repair the tendon, according to Plancher.