Tennis Elbow: Should I Have Surgery?
Tennis Elbow: Should I Have Surgery?Skip to the navigationYou may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Tennis Elbow: Should I Have Surgery?Get the factsYour options- Have surgery to treat tennis elbow.
- Try tendon rest and rehabilitation or other treatment.
Key points to remember- Surgery to treat
tennis elbow is usually done only when rest and
rehabilitation don't work. If you still have elbow pain and stiffness after
more than 6 to 12 months of rest and rehab, you might think about having
surgery.
- Resting the
tendon is important. With rest, rehabilitation, and
sometimes
corticosteroid shots, tennis elbow usually heals in 6 to 12
months.
- Tennis elbow gets worse when you keep doing the activities that
caused it. To keep pain from coming back after surgery or other treatment,
you'll need to avoid the activity that caused tennis elbow or change the way
you do it.
- There is more than one surgery for treating tennis elbow, but
there is no proof that one works better than another.footnote 1
- Surgery may not cure tennis elbow.
FAQs Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is soreness or
pain on the outside part of the elbow. You get symptoms when the
tendon at the elbow is damaged. Tennis
elbow is caused by repeated twisting movements of the hand, wrist, or forearm
during everyday activities, such as using a screwdriver or scissors, gardening,
and playing sports. Tennis elbow gets worse when you keep doing
the activities that caused it.
Surgery for tennis elbow may involve: - Cutting (releasing) the
tendon.
- Removing inflamed tissue from the tendon.
- Fixing (reattaching) tendon tears if possible.
There is no proof that one kind of surgery works better
than another, or that surgery is better than other treatment.footnote 1 Surgery may be done
arthroscopically with a scope and a few small
incisions, by open surgery through one large incision, or by more than one
technique. The type of surgery will depend on the problem and which method the
doctor prefers. Tennis
elbow surgery has some risks. - You may not be able to completely straighten your
arm.
- Surgery may not cure the problem. You may still have pain, or
the pain may come back.
- There is a risk of infection, blood loss, and nerve damage
(which are risks in all surgeries).
- There are also risks from
general anesthesia, such as breathing problems.
Surgery is usually done when there are large tears in the tendon from a
sudden (acute) injury or if there is other severe damage to the elbow. 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.
Compare your options | |
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What is usually involved? |
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What are the benefits? |
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What are the risks and side effects? |
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Have surgery to treat
tennis elbow Have surgery to treat
tennis elbow - You may stay overnight in the
hospital, depending on the type of surgery you have.
- Recovery takes 3 to 6 months.
- After surgery, you'll
do rehabilitation exercises to restore flexibility and strength in the arm.
- 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. You may want to talk to
your doctor about surgery if you still have pain that keeps you from doing your
normal activities after 6 to 12 months of other treatment.
- You may not be able
to completely straighten your arm.
- Surgery may not cure the
problem.
- To keep pain from coming back after surgery, you'll need
to avoid the activity that caused tennis elbow or change the way you do
it.
- All surgery has risks, including bleeding, infection, nerve
damage, and risks of anesthesia. Your age and your health can also affect your
risk.
Try tendon rest and
rehabilitation Try tendon rest and
rehabilitation - You rest your tendon for
weeks or months and avoid activities that cause pain.
- You do
warm-up, stretching, and strengthening exercises. You may wear a brace or
strap.
- You may have
medicine or corticosteroid shots to help relieve pain.
- With rest and
rehabilitation, it may take 6 to 12 months to heal tennis elbow. The pain can
last 2 years or more.
- You may relieve pain and
stiffness without surgery.
- You avoid the risks of surgery.
- Rest and
rehabilitation may not relieve your pain.
- You may have to limit your activities because of elbow
pain.
- To keep pain from coming back after rest and rehabilitation,
you'll need to avoid the activity that caused tennis elbow or change the way
you do it.
I have seen
a few of my tennis buddies go for months with elbow pain. They try to play
through it, and it just doesn't seem to go away. I just started feeling this
kind of pain, and I'm going to try to nip it in the bud by taking a complete
break from tennis for a couple of months. I can't
stand it any longer. Last year, I raked leaves for hours and developed a nice
case of tennis elbow. Even though I've spent the entire past 11 months avoiding
things that make my arm hurt and have been doing exercises, it still hurts when
I try to do simple things like sweep the floor. I'm going to talk to the
surgeon my doctor has recommended. I use
scissors all day at work, and it has become so painful to cut anything now! I
can't leave my job, so my boss and I have worked things out so I can work the
cash register and stock instead. I still have to be careful, but the strap my
doctor told me to wear below my elbow is helping a lot. I've had tennis elbow pain for years. It
comes and goes, and lately has been more constant. My doctor says that I'm a
good candidate for surgery, but I need to see more solid evidence that surgery
will work. I'm going to see a physical therapist and look into some other
possibilities like acupuncture. What matters most to you?
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to have surgery to treat tennis elbow Reasons to try other treatment I've tried tendon rest and rehabilitation, and they haven't worked. I haven't yet tried resting the tendon. More important Equally important More important My tendon pain gets in the way of daily activities. I can do daily activities without too much pain. More important Equally important More important I've tried corticosteroid shots, and they haven't helped. I haven't yet tried corticosteroid shots. More important Equally important More important I can accept the risks of surgery if it means getting rid of my tendon pain. I don't want to have surgery for any reason. More important Equally important More important My other important reasons: My other important reasons: More important Equally important More important Where are you leaning now?
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Having surgery Trying other treatment Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward What else do you need to make your decision?1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Not sure at all Somewhat sure Very sure Your SummaryHere's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. Next stepsWhich way you're leaningHow sure you areYour commentsKey concepts that you understoodKey concepts that may need reviewCredits | Author | Healthwise Staff |
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| Primary Medical Reviewer | William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine |
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| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
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| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
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| Specialist Medical Reviewer | David Bardana, MD, FRCSC - Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine |
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References Citations - Buchbinder R, et al. (2011). Surgery for lateral elbow pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (3).
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Tennis Elbow: Should I Have Surgery?Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. - Get the facts
- Compare your options
- What matters most to you?
- Where are you leaning now?
- What else do you need to make your decision?
1. Get the FactsYour options- Have surgery to treat tennis elbow.
- Try tendon rest and rehabilitation or other treatment.
Key points to remember- Surgery to treat
tennis elbow is usually done only when rest and
rehabilitation don't work. If you still have elbow pain and stiffness after
more than 6 to 12 months of rest and rehab, you might think about having
surgery.
- Resting the
tendon is important. With rest, rehabilitation, and
sometimes
corticosteroid shots, tennis elbow usually heals in 6 to 12
months.
- Tennis elbow gets worse when you keep doing the activities that
caused it. To keep pain from coming back after surgery or other treatment,
you'll need to avoid the activity that caused tennis elbow or change the way
you do it.
- There is more than one surgery for treating tennis elbow, but
there is no proof that one works better than another.1
- Surgery may not cure tennis elbow.
FAQs What is tennis elbow?Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is soreness or
pain on the outside part of the elbow. You get symptoms when the
tendon at the elbow is damaged. Tennis
elbow is caused by repeated twisting movements of the hand, wrist, or forearm
during everyday activities, such as using a screwdriver or scissors, gardening,
and playing sports. Tennis elbow gets worse when you keep doing
the activities that caused it. What kind of surgery is done for tennis elbow?
Surgery for tennis elbow may involve: - Cutting (releasing) the
tendon.
- Removing inflamed tissue from the tendon.
- Fixing (reattaching) tendon tears if possible.
There is no proof that one kind of surgery works better
than another, or that surgery is better than other treatment.1 Surgery may be done
arthroscopically with a scope and a few small
incisions, by open surgery through one large incision, or by more than one
technique. The type of surgery will depend on the problem and which method the
doctor prefers. What are the risks of tennis elbow surgery?Tennis
elbow surgery has some risks. - You may not be able to completely straighten your
arm.
- Surgery may not cure the problem. You may still have pain, or
the pain may come back.
- There is a risk of infection, blood loss, and nerve damage
(which are risks in all surgeries).
- There are also risks from
general anesthesia, such as breathing problems.
Why might your doctor recommend tennis elbow surgery?Surgery is usually done when there are large tears in the tendon from a
sudden (acute) injury or if there is other severe damage to the elbow. 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.
2. Compare your options| | Have surgery to treat
tennis elbow | Try tendon rest and
rehabilitation |
|---|
| What is usually involved? | - You may stay overnight in the
hospital, depending on the type of surgery you have.
- Recovery takes 3 to 6 months.
- After surgery, you'll
do rehabilitation exercises to restore flexibility and strength in the arm.
| - You rest your tendon for
weeks or months and avoid activities that cause pain.
- You do
warm-up, stretching, and strengthening exercises. You may wear a brace or
strap.
- You may have
medicine or corticosteroid shots to help relieve pain.
- With rest and
rehabilitation, it may take 6 to 12 months to heal tennis elbow. The pain can
last 2 years or more.
|
|---|
| What are the benefits? | - 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. You may want to talk to
your doctor about surgery if you still have pain that keeps you from doing your
normal activities after 6 to 12 months of other treatment.
| - You may relieve pain and
stiffness without surgery.
- You avoid the risks of surgery.
|
|---|
| What are the risks and side effects? | - You may not be able
to completely straighten your arm.
- Surgery may not cure the
problem.
- To keep pain from coming back after surgery, you'll need
to avoid the activity that caused tennis elbow or change the way you do
it.
- All surgery has risks, including bleeding, infection, nerve
damage, and risks of anesthesia. Your age and your health can also affect your
risk.
| - Rest and
rehabilitation may not relieve your pain.
- You may have to limit your activities because of elbow
pain.
- To keep pain from coming back after rest and rehabilitation,
you'll need to avoid the activity that caused tennis elbow or change the way
you do it.
|
|---|
Personal storiesPersonal stories about tennis elbow treatment decisions
These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
"I have seen a few of my tennis buddies go for months with elbow pain. They try to play through it, and it just doesn't seem to go away. I just started feeling this kind of pain, and I'm going to try to nip it in the bud by taking a complete break from tennis for a couple of months." "I can't stand it any longer. Last year, I raked leaves for hours and developed a nice case of tennis elbow. Even though I've spent the entire past 11 months avoiding things that make my arm hurt and have been doing exercises, it still hurts when I try to do simple things like sweep the floor. I'm going to talk to the surgeon my doctor has recommended." "I use scissors all day at work, and it has become so painful to cut anything now! I can't leave my job, so my boss and I have worked things out so I can work the cash register and stock instead. I still have to be careful, but the strap my doctor told me to wear below my elbow is helping a lot." "I've had tennis elbow pain for years. It comes and goes, and lately has been more constant. My doctor says that I'm a good candidate for surgery, but I need to see more solid evidence that surgery will work. I'm going to see a physical therapist and look into some other possibilities like acupuncture." 3. What matters most to you?
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to have surgery to treat tennis elbow Reasons to try other treatment I've tried tendon rest and rehabilitation, and they haven't worked. I haven't yet tried resting the tendon. More important Equally important More important My tendon pain gets in the way of daily activities. I can do daily activities without too much pain. More important Equally important More important I've tried corticosteroid shots, and they haven't helped. I haven't yet tried corticosteroid shots. More important Equally important More important I can accept the risks of surgery if it means getting rid of my tendon pain. I don't want to have surgery for any reason. More important Equally important More important My other important reasons: My other important reasons: More important Equally important More important 4. Where are you leaning now?
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Having surgery Trying other treatment Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward 5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
1.
Is surgery the only way to treat tennis elbow? You are right. Surgery often isn't needed. With tendon rest, rehabilitation, and sometimes corticosteroid shots, most people with tennis elbow heal within a year. 2.
Will surgery always cure tennis elbow? You're right. Surgery may not cure tennis elbow. Decide what's next1.
Do you understand the options available to you? 2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? 3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? Certainty1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Not sure at all Somewhat sure Very sure 2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision. Credits | By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | David Bardana, MD, FRCSC - Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine |
|---|
References Citations - Buchbinder R, et al. (2011). Surgery for lateral elbow pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (3).
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.Current as of:
March 21, 2017 Buchbinder R, et al. (2011). Surgery for lateral elbow pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (3). Last modified on: 8 September 2017
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