Tennis Elbow

What is Tennis Elbow?

Tennis Elbow is a degenerative condition of the tendons that attach to the bony prominence (Epicondyle) of the outside of the elbow. These tendons are responsible for anchoring the muscles that extend and lift the hand.

The symptoms of Tennis Elbow are mild to severe burning pain on the outside part of the elbow, which may become worse by pressing on the outside of the elbow, by gripping and lifting objects or by simply moving the elbow joint.

Why does Tennis Elbow Occur?

Tennis Elbow usually occurs in patients between the ages of 30 - 50 years, especially in patients with occupations involving repetitive movement of the elbow, regular athletics or racket sports. Occasionally patients develop tennis elbow without any specific recognisable activity leading to symptoms.

How is Tennis Elbow treated without surgery?

The use of regular anti-inflammatory medications, ice packs and enforced rest of the affected elbow joint for several months can usually successfully alleviate this condition. An orthotic brace to apply a counterforce or/and splint the wrist may also be useful to aid this enforced rest.

If symptoms fail to improve over six weeks the next step is usually to inject a steroid solution around the outside of the elbow, which will reduce pain and inflammation. A combination of conservative treatment and steroid injection is usually successful in around 85% of cases. 

How is Tennis Elbow treated with surgery?

Surgery to resolve Tennis Elbow is typically avoided for all but the more severe and debilitating cases and those that have failed to respond to conservative treatment. Surgical intervention is aimed at removing diseased tendon tissue and reattaching normal tendon tissue to bone.

Surgery is typically carried out as a day case and can be performed under general anaesthetic (you will be asleep) or under regional anaesthetic (you will be awake). The procedure usually takes around 30 - 40 minutes to perform dependant on the severity of the diseased tendon. The surgeon will either performed this procedure through a small incision over the bony prominence of the elbow or through a small keyhole. Key hole surgery is also known as Arthroscopic Surgery -please see our separate patient fact sheet on this procedure for further detail. (please link her to Arthroscopy fact sheet) 

What is the recovery like?

Once a patient is fully recovered from the effects of anaesthetic they are normally quickly encouraged to be as active and mobile as possible to avoid joint stiffness and other complications such as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) from developing. It is therefore normal for patients to be encouraged to take a short walk and perform gentle postoperative exercises with guidance from a physiotherapist on the day of surgery.

Following a progressive improvement of mobility and pain control patients are normally discharged from hospital on the day of surgery. By the time the required level of recovery is achieved for discharge, patients are normally fully mobile, wearing a light weight dressing and support splint on the effected elbow joint, eating and drinking normally and taking only mild analgesia (pain killers). Over the next 6 weeks patients will be expected to work on improving their new elbow joints mobility and stability through a dedicated and progressive upper limb physiotherapy regime.

Your Consultant Surgeon will assess your joints stability and range of movement after 6 weeks and then again after three months to evaluate how successful your elbow procedure has been. Patients should expect a continuous and full physical recovery to take around four to six months to achieve.

Are there any risks associated with Tennis Elbow surgery?

Although Elbow surgery is regularly performed without any complications, it is very important that all candidates are fully aware of both the benefits and risks of undertaking this type of specialist upper limb surgery.

All surgery, no mater how expertly or carefully it is performed, carries risks and the importance of a full evaluation and consultation with an expert in Elbow surgery to discuss your condition in relation to these risks cannot be over emphasised.

How do I find out if I am a suitable candidate for Tennis Elbow surgery?

Surgical Advisor will be delighted to help you find a leading expert in Elbow surgery to consult with. Your surgeon will carry out a thorough evaluation of your condition and provide you with a comprehensive explanation of the most appropriate surgical solution.
 
Our Expert Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons are most carefully selected and recommended because they understand the importance of the decision you are making when contemplating complex Elbow surgery and because of their specialist upper limb surgical expertise. Throughout your consultation you will therefore be encouraged to ask as many questions as you wish and to take your time in making a decision to proceed with any recommended treatment.

To ensure that patients are comfortable with any recommendations or advice given in their consultation, all patients are asked to go away after a consultation and think through all the information they have received. If for whatever reason you are still not sure about the best course of action and wish to have further dialogue with your surgeon, you will not be expected to pay for a second consultation appointment.

How do I make a consultation appointment?

For further advice on how to make an appointment to consult with an expert Elbow surgeon: 

Please call Surgical Advisor on: 0870 41 41 41 2
Or email us by clicking on: advice@surgicaladvisor.com