Tennis elbow surgery (2023)

FAQs

How long does it take to recover from tennis elbow surgery? ›

You will be able to return to daily activities in about 2 to 6 weeks. You can go back to work in 3 to 12 weeks, depending on your job. You should be able to play sports again in 4 to 6 months.

Studies have not shown that surgery for tennis elbow is better than other treatment. But some people have less pain after surgery. So they are able to do more with their affected arms and hands.

Tennis elbow release is usually performed under general or increasingly under local anaesthetic. The procedure usually takes 15-30 minutes. Your surgeon will make an incision (cut) along your arm near your elbow. They will inspect the point where your tendon attaches to bone.

You will have some pain. Your doctor can give you medicine for this. A large bandage will cover your stitches (sutures). Your arm may be in a splint or a cast.

You'll usually be in hospital for 2–3 nights after your surgery. During this time medical, nursing, physiotherapy and occupational therapy staff will be involved in your care. You'll be given drugs after the operation to keep your arm as free from pain as possible.

– When the procedure is complete, your orthopedic surgeon will place a bandage on your arm to cover the wound and stitches. You may also need to wear a cast or a splint for approximately 7-10 days to help your arm heal. Keep in mind that you will not be able to use your arm during this period.

If left untreated, tennis elbow may become chronic and last for months, even years, especially if you continue the repetitive activity that caused the problem. There may also be nerve entrapment in the forearm, which is why it's important to see a specialist for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

On average most people return to driving around 4 weeks following surgery. If a ligament or tendon has been repaired, you need to wait until the tendon/ ligament has healed – normally around 8-10 weeks with a graduated increase in activity.

You may be awake or asleep with general anesthesia during the surgery. If you have open surgery, your surgeon will make one cut (incision) over your injured tendon. The unhealthy part of the tendon is scraped away. The surgeon may repair the tendon using something called a suture anchor.

How long after elbow surgery can I go home? ›

Go home and rest on the first day. Slowly return to your normal activities, and follow the instructions below regarding your operated elbow. If you had a regional block (if your elbow or arm was frozen), it will take 4 to 12 hours for the feeling to return to normal. The operated area will feel numb and weak.

Elbow replacement is major surgery with serious risks and potential complications. You may have less invasive treatment options.

During the first 2 weeks, you may remove your sling at home during the day but need to wear the sling in public (around other people) and when sleeping. After 2 weeks, the sling can be removed at all times.

Tennis elbow can turn into a chronic problem if not treated by a professional. Oftentimes, people who develop tennis elbow may not see a doctor and attribute it to just getting older. They may rest, take pain-relievers, and get back in the game without proper rehabilitation.

During the procedure

Most people get general anesthesia and a nerve block. General anesthesia puts you into a deep sleep. The nerve block numbs your arm so that pain control can continue after you wake up from general anesthesia. The surgery usually takes 1 to 2 hours.

Kodama et al.^21,22) reported survival rates of 87.8% at 5 years and 70.7% at 10 years, and the most common complication was aseptic loosening.

You should be able to go back to work 6 to 12 weeks after your surgery. If you use your elbow a lot at work, you might have to make adjustments on your job. For example, you might not be able to lift heavy objects. You'll need to wait about 4 to 6 months before you can exercise and play sports again.

Signs that you need elbow surgery include consistent and severe pain in the elbow joint, pain that worsens with use, stiffness after rest or activity, and a limited range of motion.

The best position is lying down with two pillows under your arm or with your arm in a Carter pillow (if provided). Elevation should be done for the first several days after surgery. 3. Pain Medication: Take medications as prescribed, but only as often as necessary.

Start with your elbow bent, which is less painful, then progress to keeping your elbow straight. Hold a 1 pound weight in the hand. Using the unaffected hand, lift the hand with the weight toward the body, bending the wrist (keep the arm flat against the table).

Should I get an MRI for tennis elbow? ›

The short answer is that an MRI is probably neither necessary nor useful for most early and mid-term Tennis and Golfer's Elbow sufferers (and even some chronic / long-term sufferers, who don't intend to consider surgery.)

“The traditional treatment for lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, is to use physical therapy followed by a cortisone injection to relieve pain,” Dr. Scofield explains. “Cortisone injections are popular because they've been used for decades, they are affordable, and insurance covers them.

Short answer: Yes, you can still lift weights if you have tennis elbow – provided you do so in a way that is pain-free.

One of the most significant advantages of compression sleeves is their multifaceted benefits, especially for tennis elbow. From increased blood circulation to added support and relieving tension and pressure, there is a range of benefits tennis players may experience.

Most likely because it is REALLY HARD to offload an elbow tendon that you use every day for simple things, like pouring a kettle, opening doors and having a drink. When a tendon is irritated enough to cause pain doing these normal activities, it needs a lot of time and patience to settle down.

Use continuously for 3 days and then as needed. Naproxen 500 (2 Aleve) every 12 hours OR ibuprofen 800 (4 Advil) every 8 hours. Take with food and avoid if history of ulcers, severe reflux or kidney disease. Continue for 5 days and then as needed.

You should begin moving your fingers the first day after surgery. You have been given a long acting local anesthetic around the incision. It will often last 6-8 and sometimes as long as 12 hours.

Do not eat or drink before the surgery as directed. In some cases, physical therapy or specific exercises will be prescribed prior to a scheduled procedure, to help build up muscle strength around the affected area. Take your medication as directed.

Arthroscopic Surgery for Tennis Elbow is the gold standard and best in class surgical. With arthroscopic (keyhole) techniques, the results are the same as open procedures, but with additional advantages. Advantages of Arthroscopic Surgery for Tennis Elbow: Smaller incisions, thus less post-operative pain.

How common is tennis elbow surgery? ›

Surgery is considered a last resort for this condition and only 1 in 10 patients requires surgical intervention. The surgical success rate for relieving Tennis Elbow pain is 85-95%. Your surgeon will decide whether to perform your surgery in the traditional manner or endoscopically.

You will find it more comfortable to wear loose clothing to avoid pressure on the incision. Ask your doctor or other qualified health professional about appropriate wound care. You may want to place a pillow behind your elbow when seated or lying down to keep the surgery area forward to help decrease pain.

Currently, the majority of arthroscopic procedures are performed in either the lateral decubitus or supine suspended position.

A forearm band or strap wrapped around the forearm just below the elbow may provide significant relief. This rests the inflamed tendon. People with severe pain may have the elbow immobilized in a sling or splinted at a 90-degree angle, although the elbow should not be immobilized for prolonged periods.

Tennis elbow will get better without treatment (known as a self-limiting condition). Tennis elbow usually lasts between 6 months and 2 years, with most people (90%) making a full recovery within a year. The most important thing to do is to rest your injured arm and stop doing the activity that caused the problem.

Giannicola et al.⁷ report that 70% of patients recovered functional range between 3 months and 6 months post injury, with recovery of flexion being slowest to improve. Thereafter, improvement occurred at a slower rate, until 12 months post injury, when 80% of patients had recovered functional range.

Your doctor might recommend surgery if: You have elbow pain after more than 6 to 12 months of tendon rest and rehabilitation. You can't do your job or daily activities because of elbow pain. You have had corticosteroid shots and still have elbow pain.

You may be awake or asleep with general anesthesia during the surgery. If you have open surgery, your surgeon will make one cut (incision) over your injured tendon. The unhealthy part of the tendon is scraped away.

The most common restrictions after elbow surgery involve not lifting heavy objects with the affected arm and not using it to push or pull — like opening doors or getting up from a chair. It's also likely that you won't be able to drive for a short period.

Can you drive after having elbow surgery? ›

Driving After Arthroscopic Surgery (Key-Hole Elbow & Shoulder Surgery) If you have had key-hole surgery where no tendon or ligaments have needed repair, immediate movement is encouraged and you can drive once physically able. On average most people return to driving around 4 weeks following surgery.

How to Sleep while Recovering from Elbow Surgery. To prevent swelling in the hand and arm overnight, be sure to sleep on your back. Your arm should be propped up on a pillow or cushion throughout the night to keep it elevated and prevent fluid accumulation.