Elbow Epicondylitis Repair
Elbow Epicondylitis Repair Surgeon
Are you an athlete who participates in golf, tennis, racquet sports or activities requiring repetitive motions? If so, you are at an elevated risk of developing a condition known as epicondylitis. Elbow epicondylitis causes pain on the inner or outer elbow that worsens with lifting or gripping activities. Elbow epicondylitis repair surgeon, Dr. Nikhil Verma provides diagnosis and both surgical and nonsurgical treatment options for patients in Chicago who have symptoms of golfer’s elbow or tennis elbow. Contact Dr. Verma’s team today!
Elbow Epicondylitis Repair to Treat Tennis Elbow or Golfer’s Elbow
Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow, or elbow epicondylitis, are caused by overuse and repetitive stress to the tendons of the elbow. Both conditions cause patients to suffer from pain, either on the outer elbow (tennis elbow) or on the inner elbow (golfer’s elbow), and weakness of grip. The pain is typically aggravated by lifting or gripping activities. Elbow epicondylitis is most commonly treated by non-surgical measures, but some patients will require a surgical repair. Chicago, Westchester, Oak Brook and Hinsdale, Illinois area elbow surgeon, Dr. Nikhil Verma is trained and experienced on how to treat tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow using an elbow epicondylitis repair.
The majority of patients who suffer from elbow epicondylitis have poor technique when swinging a club or racquet, or perform repetitive movements on the job. The continued strain causes microscopic tears in the tendon over time. The initial treatment for tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are non-operative measures including ice, activity modification and stretching and strengthening exercises. If the symptoms do not improve, Dr. Verma may recommend a surgical approach.
How to treat tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow after non-operative measures fail depends on the extent of damage to the tendon. Dr. Verma will perform an MRI to determine the exact level of tendon tearing and degeneration. If the tendon tearing is moderate to severe, Dr. Verma will recommend an elbow epicondylitis repair, either arthroscopically or an open surgery, to remove the diseased muscle from the elbow area and reattach healthy muscle back to the bone. Treating tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow surgically generally includes debriding or a tendon repair. Debriding requires Dr. Verma to clean and remove the damaged tissues, while tendon repair requires him to suture the normal tissue to facilitate healing.
Recovery and Rehabilitation after Elbow Epicondylitis Repair
The arm will need to stay immobilized in a sling following a surgical procedure for elbow epicondylitis. The splint and sutures will be removed within 7-10 days and a physical therapy program will continue until the patient reaches a full recovery. Patients can expect to return to their normal activities approximately four to six months after an elbow epicondylitis repair.
If you would like more resources on how to treat tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow with an elbow epicondylitis repair, please contact the orthopedic office of Dr. Nikhil Verma, elbow surgeon serving the Chicago, Westchester, Oak Brook and Hinsdale, Illinois communities.
