What is the best topical medication for tennis elbow?

Generally, tennis elbow is a chronic injury of the forearm extensor muscles attached to the lateral epicondyle of the humerus caused by overuse. Doctors usually recommend topical treatments such as flurbiprofen gel patches, diclofenac diethylamine liniment, Yunnan Baiyao plaster, Shangshi Zhitong plaster, and Compound Nanxing Zhitong plaster. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Flurbiprofen Gel Patch

The flurbiprofen gel patch is a topical formulation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. It alleviates pain and inflammation associated with tennis elbow by inhibiting the release of local inflammatory mediators and reducing the transmission of pain signals.

2. Diclofenac Diethylamine Liniment

Diclofenac diethylamine liniment is another commonly used topical NSAID formulation with potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. It is widely used in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain such as tennis elbow, providing rapid pain relief and promoting the resolution of inflammation.

3. Yunnan Baiyao Plaster

Yunnan Baiyao plaster is a traditional Chinese medicine composed of multiple herbal ingredients. It helps reduce swelling and relieve pain by promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. It is suitable for treating muscle and joint pain and swelling caused by tennis elbow, accelerating the resolution of inflammation by improving local blood circulation and alleviating pain and discomfort.

4. Shangshi Zhitong Plaster

Shangshi Zhitong plaster is a traditional Chinese herbal plaster composed of ingredients such as raw aconite, myrrh, and saposhnikovia root. It promotes blood circulation to relieve pain and dispels wind-damp. It is widely used to treat symptoms such as pain, swelling, and stiffness caused by tennis elbow, by warming and unblocking meridians, dispersing cold, and eliminating dampness to relieve pain.

5. Compound Nanxing Zhitong Plaster

Compound Nanxing Zhitong plaster is a topical formulation containing multiple Chinese herbal ingredients. It promotes blood circulation to relieve pain and disperses cold-damp. It is suitable for treating joint pain, swelling, and restricted movement caused by tennis elbow, by warming and unblocking meridians, improving local blood circulation, and alleviating pain and discomfort.

Topical medications are only suitable for relieving mild symptoms. Patients experiencing severe pain or whose symptoms do not improve should seek timely medical attention for further treatment.