Tennis elbow is an often occurring damage from excessive movements of forearms. In medical term it is commonly called lateral epicondylitis. It is a condition where in it cab be considered as a repetitive stress injuries. Tennis elbow injury happens when the ligaments are being pulled or stretch several times in a repetitive way. The best example of which is the poor backhand technique using the wrist rather than using the arm in hitting the ball. This repetitive strain on the tendons produces a lot of tiny tears over the tendons. Even though the injury is called tennis elbow, this injury may be acquired through some movements like painting, raking, using a screwdriver and even simple activities like using scissors.
A symptom like pain at the outer part of the elbow is a best indication for the patient to consult a doctor for possible tennis elbow surgery. The pain is actually described as a painful feeling deeply rooted in the elbow near the bony protrusion on the outer part of the elbow. It is usually warm to touch and tender. The pain could worsen when the arm is lifted or even with a simple movement.
There are a lot of surgical procedures that have the ability to treat a tennis elbow injury. These surgeries help to remove of all the damaged tissues and stimulate healing over the affected area. Tennis elbow surgery is done by making an incision over the outside part of the joint. There are two types of tennis elbow surgery, first is making a cut for about three to four centimeter long in the arm. The sheaths of the tendons are cut and enclosed. The second type of surgery is by using scalpel to cut and release the tendon thru an open arm.
Either one of the two types of tennis elbow surgery are done to the patient in no time. The patient can be discharge from the hospital even after the surgery. Right after the surgery, the patient’s arm is placed to a plaster cast based sling arm protector. A newly treated arm can be prone to moisture that makes the scar tissue of the arm weakened. It is recommended to keep the arm dry at all times to make it heal properly and fast. With proper medication and guideline from the doctor, the surgery will yield a better result.
As with any other kind of surgery, there are several risks that can happen such as infection, bleeding, damage of the nerves, weak straightening of the arm, painful scar and chronic pain to the wrist or arm. In most patients, possible result may be visible for about three to four weeks after the surgery. The stitches are usually taken or removed two weeks after the surgery and proper rehabilitation is immediately advised.
Possible recovery period of tennis elbow surgery may vary from patient to patient. Most of them may return to their usual activities after twenty-one days to forty days period. The recovery can be delayed if the patient is not observing some cautions like doing some heavy lifting, getting involved with some extreme sports like climbing and throwing.