Most people with tennis elbow can recover with non-surgical treatments. In fact, this is the first step for many patients and is successful for many cases.

Rest and Activity Modification

The first step is to avoid activities that cause pain. This might mean:

• Resting the elbow by stopping activities like weightlifting or intense gripping.
• Taking breaks to reduce strain on the arm.

Pain Relief and Inflammation Reduction

• NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) like ibuprofen or tylenol can help reduce pain and swelling.
• Icing your elbow and using a compression wrap can also help with inflammation.

These treatments help ease the pain while giving the tendons time to heal.

Physical Therapy

• Eccentric strengthening exercises are often used in physical therapy. These exercises focus on lengthening the muscles while they are under tension, which helps promote healing and prevent future injury.

A physical therapist will guide you through exercises that target the muscles and tendons involved in tennis elbow, helping you regain strength and mobility in your arm.

Braces and Supports

Some people choose to wear a tennis elbow or counterforce brace during the day or while doing activities. This brace helps support the tendons and can reduce stress on the elbow, allowing for faster healing.

Injection Therapy

If pain continues and NSAIDs aren’t effective, injection therapy may be considered:

• Cortisone Injections: These can help reduce inflammation directly at the site of pain. They provide quick relief but are typically used as a short-term solution.
• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections: For more severe cases, PRP uses your body’s own platelets to promote healing in the damaged tendon. PRP is used when other treatments haven’t worked, and it can help stimulate tissue repair.

If non-surgical treatments don’t relieve the pain, surgery may be necessary. Your doctor will help you decide if surgery is the right option based on your condition. There are several types of surgery for tennis elbow, all of which aim to remove damaged tissue and promote healing.

Percutaneous Debridement

• This is the most minimally invasive surgical option.
• It is performed through a small incision (about the size of a pen tip) and guided by ultrasound for accuracy.
• The surgeon removes damaged tissue, and the procedure has a short recovery time.

Arthroscopic Debridement

• A minimally invasive surgery using a tiny camera (arthroscope) to guide the procedure.
• This type of surgery allows the doctor to see inside the joint and check for other issues, such as injuries to the cartilage or joint.
• It is ideal for cases where additional damage is suspected.

Open Debridement

• This surgery involves a small incision to view directly and treat the damaged tissues.
• It is recommended for more advanced cases of tennis elbow.
• The surgeon removes the damaged tendon and repairs healthy tissue to improve function and reduce pain.

The recovery process depends on the type of surgery and the severity of your condition. General expectations include:

• Sling: You may need to wear a sling for 24 hours immediately after surgery to support the arm.
• Wrist Splint: A splint is typically worn for 4 to 6 weeks to help stabilize the wrist and elbow during healing.
• Physical Therapy: This is an important part of recovery. Physical therapy helps reduce swelling, relieve pain, and rebuild strength in the muscles and tendons of the elbow.
• Avoid Straining Activities: For the first few weeks after surgery, avoid activities that require gripping or lifting objects heavier than 3 pounds. This includes things like opening jars or carrying heavy groceries.

Recovery can take time, and it’s important to follow your doctor’s recommendations closely to ensure the best results.