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Tennis elbow surgery

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Surgery

Surgery

If conservative measures fail, release of the common extensor origin may be helpful.

Indications for operation

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) which has not responded to conservative treatment .

Anaesthesia

  • General Anaesthesia (Fully asleep) or regional (the arm will be numb)
  • Local anaesthesia will be injected into the wound for post-operative pain relief

Operation type

Open

Incisions

A 3cm (1.18″) incision over the lateral epicondyle (the tender area).

Procedure

The common extensor origin is released from the lateral epicondyle and scar tissue removed.

Wound Closure

A single non-absorbable suture running under the skin will be used to close the wound, paper stitches will be placed over this.

Dressings

An Elastoplast dressing will be placed over the top of the paper stitches and an elastic support bandage over the top of this.

Immediate aftercare

One can go home when one feels comfortable.

References

References

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