Surgery for Tennis Elbow
Surgery Overview
Surgery for
tennis elbow may involve:
- Cutting (releasing) the
tendon.
- Removing inflamed tissue from the
tendon.
- Repairing (reattaching) tendon tears if it is possible to
do so without overtightening the tendon.
Surgery may be done
arthroscopically, by traditional open surgery, or by a
combination of the two techniques depending on the type of problem and the
method the doctor prefers to use. Arthroscopy is not widely used.
Surgery can be done with
general or regional anesthetic and can require an
overnight stay in the hospital.
What To Expect After Surgery
Recovery varies from person to person,
usually taking at least 3 to 6 months for a complete recovery.
- Cigarette smoking slows tendon and wound
healing.
- Recovery depends on the amount of time and effort you put
into a rehabilitation program.
- You may not be able to keep doing
the activity that caused your tennis elbow. Or you may have to make some
changes to the way you do that activity in the future.
Why It Is Done
You and your doctor may consider
surgery if:
- You still have elbow soreness and pain after
more than 6 to 12 months of non-surgical treatment.
- Corticosteroid shots have given good short-term pain
relief but the pain has returned.
- You cannot perform daily tasks
and activities because of elbow pain.
How Well It Works
Various surgical procedures are
used to treat tennis elbow. Some surgical research exists. But there are no
published, controlled trials that either strongly support or discourage the use
of any one procedure or prove that surgery is better than other
treatment.1
Most people are able to
return to their previous activities after tennis elbow surgery. Be sure to
change any previous technique, equipment, or activity that has been linked to
the elbow pain.
Risks
The risks of surgery for tennis elbow
include:
- Slight loss of ability to straighten the
arm.
- Elbow pain that persists or recurs.
- Infection,
blood loss, nerve damage (risks in all surgeries).
- Anesthesia side effects.
What To Think About
Surgery for tennis elbow is
seldom needed because the condition usually improves with tendon rest and
non-surgical treatment.
Complete the surgery information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you prepare for this surgery.
References
Citations
- Buchbinder R, et al. (2002). Surgery for lateral elbow
pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (1).
Oxford: Update Software.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | David Bardana, MD, FRCSC - Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine |
|---|
| Last Revised | January 21, 2011 |
|---|
Last Revised:
January 21, 2011
Buchbinder R, et al. (2002). Surgery for lateral elbow
pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (1).
Oxford: Update Software.
