Treatment Options for Tennis Elbow

April 17th, 2007

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is a degenerative condition of the tendon fibers that attach on the bony prominence (epicondyle) on the outside (lateral side) of the elbow. The tendons involved are responsible for anchoring the muscles that extend or lift the wrist and hand. Tennis elbow happens mostly in patients between the ages of 30 years to 50 years, and can affect as many as half of athletes in racquet sports. Most patients with tennis elbow, however, simply get the problem from normal activities. Most of the time, there is not a specific traumatic injury before symptoms start.

Many individuals with tennis elbow are involved in work or recreational activities that require repetitive and vigorous use of the forearm muscles. Some patients develop tennis elbow without any specific recognizable activity leading to symptoms. Patients often complain of severe, burning pain on the outside part of the elbow. In most cases, the pain starts in a mild and slow fashion. It gradually worsens over weeks or months. The pain can be made worse by pressing on the outside part of the elbow or by gripping or lifting objects. Lifting even very light objects (such as a small book or a cup of coffee) can lead to significant discomfort. In more severe cases, pain can occur with simple motion of the elbow joint.

In most cases, nonoperative treatment should be tried before surgery for at least 3-6 months. Pain relief is the main goal. Treatment includes 1. activity modification, 2. the use of braces 3. stretching and strengthening(see videos on this page). The application of ice to the outside part of the elbow is often helpful too, and you may need to take acetaminophen or an anti-inflammatory medication for pain relief. A cortisone shot is often very helpful at the 1st office visit as well.

Symptoms should improve significantly within 6-8 weeks. Nonoperative treatment is successful in approximately 85 percent to 90 percent of patients with tennis elbow. The newest nonoperative treatment involves injecting platelet rich plasma, derived from spinning down a small blood sample withdrawn right in the office. Special growth factors appear to have a healing effect.Outcomes are just starting to be reported, but the early reports appear favorable.

Surgery is considered only in patients who have incapacitating pain that has not responded to conservative treatment.The surgical procedure involves removing diseased tendon tissue. The procedure is an outpatient surgery and can be performed under regional anesthesia. Currently arthroscopic and open techniques result in equal outcomes, but the risks are higher with the former, thus I use a small incision. After surgery, the elbow is placed in a small brace. About one week later, the sutures and splint are removed. Then exercises are started to stretch the elbow and restore range of motion. Light, gradual strengthening exercises are started 6 weeks after surgery. Tennis elbow surgery is successful in approximately 85 percent of patients.

Related Photos:

wrist flexion stretches the tendon origin

elbow counterforce brace and static wrist brace are helpful

location of surgical incision

tendon pathology is whitish material

Related Videos:

Outcome 4 months after tennis elbow debridement