Tennis elbow is a painful injury among people who perform repetitive arm movements, beyond just tennis players, and treating it can come with costs. It affects golfers, fitness enthusiasts, gamers, plumbers, painters, hairdressers, construction and manufacturing workers, chefs and more.

Despite the pain, tenderness, weakened grip strength and even numbness or tingling in the fingers, tennis elbow sufferers may delay treatment to avoid taking on the expense.

The good news is that there are numerous treatments for this condition. Here we’ll address the common question, “What does it cost for tennis elbow treatment?”

Note that all cost ranges for tennis elbow treatment are general estimates and depend on your location, what product/s you chose, your healthcare providers and if you have health insurance. Always request an estimate of costs before undergoing treatment, and check with your insurance company first.

 

Inexpensive at-home tennis elbow treatment options

Resting the arm costs nothing, unless the cause of the injury is your occupation. Then there may be an associated loss of income to taking off work.

Icing and heat therapy can help reduce inflammation and only cost the price of an ice pack or heating pad (generally under $10-$50). Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, is an inexpensive way to alleviate pain temporarily.

In terms of natural remedies, some people use CBD cream, tinctures or edibles, and prices vary according to manufacturer, retail outlet and size/quantity. The same is true for herbs, such as turmeric, ginger and bromelain that can help reduce symptoms of tennis elbow.

Another option is to perform stretches and strengthening exercises to increase circulation, improve range of motion and promote healing and functional restoration of the tendon. Many of these can be found for free in online resources.

Finally, braces, straps or sleeves provide additional support for the tendon and can be purchased over-the-counter for $25-$100.

 

Working with healthcare professionals

Massage therapists, acupuncturists, chiropractors and physical therapists all can offer relief from tennis elbow pain through a variety of manual techniques, along with potential supplemental therapies such as TENS and ultrasound.

 

How much professionals cost

These professionals typically charge per visit, and costs vary depending on the length of the session. Fees can range from approximately $65-$200 per meeting, and you’ll likely have to undergo numerous sessions. In fact, physical therapy regimens for tennis elbow can be two to three visits per week for eight to 12 weeks. However, insurance may cover the cost of chiropractic and physical therapy, leaving you with potentially having to meet a deductible and handle co-pays.

A physician may prescribe an injection such as cortisone, which can be covered by insurance as well. Newer injectables, however, such as platelet-rich plasma, are not usually picked up by insurance and can exceed several thousand dollars.

If you ultimately need surgery, which is only required in about 5% of tennis elbow sufferers, costs can be $15,000 to $25,000 without health insurance. This procedure is often covered by insurance, so you are responsible for co-pays and co-insurance, along with meeting a deductible.

New cost-effective tennis elbow treatment

The new Fiix Elbow device from Stā Active brings a clinical physical therapy treatment to your home for maximum convenience and cost-effectiveness. It automates a proven protocol to stimulate circulation, cellular regeneration and collage production to heal the tendon. The simple regimen is 10 minutes per day, three times per week, for eight weeks.

Available without a prescription, the Fiix Elbow is priced at $399 and comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee. Plus, it can be used to manage potential tennis elbow flare-ups over time, so it’s a valuable investment.