Tennis Elbow Surgery
Is Tennis Elbow Surgery Required?
Tennis elbow surgery is not always required to cure instances of tennis elbow, in fact are usually considered to be a last resort. Tennis elbow is an acute form of tendonitis. Tendon fibers that attach the forearm muscles to the elbow can become irritated or injured through repetitive motion of the elbow, and eventually become inflamed. When this happens, moving the elbow becomes painful, and in severe cases the motion that created the injury may have to be suspended for a time or in extreme cases, suspended permanently.
One of the reasons many professional athletes undergo tennis elbow surgery is their competitive drive which makes it difficult for them to quit, and as a result they try to play through the pain. When that pain is due to a tennis elbow, it will get worse instead of better. Another reason for the surgery is that it is often preferable to long periods of rest, which may also cure the condition. In that respect, it can be a toss-up, as the recovery time after surgery is also rather lengthy. Tennis elbow most commonly affects those who participate in racquet sports or golfing, but there are non-sporting repetitive activities that can also irritate and damage the tendons. The medical term for tennis elbow is lateral epicondylitis, and tennis elbow surgery is known as lateral epicondylitis surgery.
Types Of Surgery - There are two primary type of tennis elbow surgery, both usually performed on an outpatient basis. Surgery of course is an invasive treatment. The least invasive surgery is arthroscopic surgery, and involves making a small incision, usually not more much more than an inch in length, through which damaged tendons are repaired by trimming the tendon sheaths, after which the incision is closed. The more invasive type, open surgery, involves a larger incision, basically cutting open the arm, and releasing the tendon from the bone, removing diseased or badly damaged muscle, and reattaching healthy muscles and tendons.
Surgical Risks - Tennis elbow surgery is not as common as some may think however, with over 90% of patients being treated by non-surgical means. As is the case with any surgery, there are always risks, though the surgical procedure does not fall into the category of major surgery. There is always a possibility of infection, collateral damage to nerves or other tissues, and the possibility that full arm strength and flexibility will not return. This potential loss of strength and flexibility is one reason why surgery is usually done only as a last resort.
Recovery - Following tennis elbow surgery, the patient will usually wear a cast or brace, depending somewhat on the surgical procedure, for a week or longer, again depending upon the surgical procedure. It will normally be 8 weeks before strengthening exercises can commence, and total recovery time averages around 5 months, with close to 90% of patients recovering completely.
Preventive Measures - Tennis elbow surgery can usually be avoided by taking preventive measures to protect the tendons of the elbow and forearm, or by use of braces if the condition starts to develop. Braces take some of the pressure off the tendons, giving them a chance to heal on their own, rather than being subjected to further irritation. The use of steroids or cortisone can relieve the symptoms although won't necessarily correct an emerging problem. Shock wave therapy is sometimes used. Shock waves create micro trauma or tiny injuries in the muscles and tendons, causing the body's natural healing processes to kick in. Should you find yourself a victim of tennis elbow, take some comfort in the fact that the odds of tennis elbow surgery being needed are greatly in your favor. The most important thing to do is to take all necessary steps to avoid aggravating the condition, and take steps directed towards treating the problem non-surgically.