Tennis Elbow 

Tennis Elbow is caused by the inflammation of the tendons that attach the muscles of the wrist and fingers to the bone. This causes discomfort and swelling on the forearm.

The operation is performed open with a cut on the side of the elbow. The area of tendon responsible for persisting pain is identified and released from its attachment to bone. At the end of the operation, your wounds are stitched and dressed.

You will be given a sling before you go home and may take it on and off as you wish. Leave the dressing covering the wound until your follow up appointment which should be about two weeks after your operation. Begin moving the elbow joints as much as you can to prevent stiffness. It is important to recognise that improvement is slow and that this is not a quick fix operation. Three weeks after the operation you will not have noticed much improvement, however you should have recovered nearly full movement. You will only notice an improvement of tennis elbow symptoms three months after the operation. You may require physiotherapy.

You should not be gripping or heavy lifting within the first three weeks. Depending on the nature of your work, you may have to sustain from working for 3-4 weeks. You may get back to driving after the stitches are out if you feel safe to do so.

Generally, this procedure is considered to be very effective and low risk. However some people may have problems. The commonest of these is stiffness in the elbow during the first few days following your operation, but this should gradually improve. To prevent further discomfort, maintain an adequate amount of pain relief. Some patients may continue to have pain, but it will be better than it was prior to the surgery.