Tennis elbow is a degenerative condition of the tendon fibers that are responsible for anchoring the arm muscles that extend or lift the wrist and hand.
Symptoms
Symptoms of tennis elbow often includes persistent pain on the outside of the elbow. It usually begins with mild pain and can continue for weeks or months. The pain can be increased by pressing on the outside of the elbow or by a gripping or lifting motion. In severe cases, pain can occur with only minimal movement of the elbow joint and can radiate into the forearm.
Treatment
Non-operative treatment is successful in approximately 85 percent of patients with tennis elbow. Pain relief is the primary goal of treatment. Activities that contributed to the injury should be discontinued and ice should be applied to the outside part of the elbow whenever symptoms flair. Patients may also benefit from taking acetaminophen or an anti-inflammatory medication for pain relief.
Physical therapy is usually prescribed that may include stretching and range of motion exercises and gradual strengthening of the affected muscles and tendons. The use of a counterforce brace and wrist splint may also be recommended.
Patients who have incapacitating pain that does not improve after six or more months of non-operative treatment may be candidates for surgery. The procedure involves removing deteriorated tendon tissue and reattaching a portion of the healthy tendon tissue to the bone. The procedure is an outpatient surgery and can be performed under regional or general anesthesia.
ONS is committed to providing excellent orthopaedic and neurosurgical care through integrative knowledge, cooperation among personnel and compassion for our patients. By setting the highest of standards, we can confidently offer patients the best options for the best possible outcomes.