Surgery is only considered if all other conservative treatment options have been exhausted.
It also describes how tennis elbow is commonly treated.
What Is Tennis Elbow?
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Pain can occur with certain movements of the elbow or when the wrist is bent back.
Who Needs Tennis Elbow Surgery?
This includes conservative treatments like:
When Is Surgery Needed?
Between 3% and 11% of people with tennis elbow require surgical treatment.
What Happens During Tennis Elbow Surgery?
LHE is a relatively common surgery performed by anorthopedic surgeonin a hospital or specialized surgical facility.
The surgery is usually performed on anoutpatient basiswith people returning home on the same day.
Most LHEs take around 20 to 30 minutes to complete.
Types of Anesthesia
Local anesthesiais commonly used, butregionalorgeneral anesthesiamay be recommended for certain open surgeries.
If undergoing local anesthesia, there may be no food or drink restrictions.
If aregional blockorgeneral anesthesiais used, you will be asked to stop eating on the midnight before the operation.
Within four hours, no liquids or food should pass your lips.
Your arm will be bandaged, and you may feel a little pain.
Upon returning home, you will need to keep your arm in the sling for seven to 10 days.
While sitting or resting, keep the arm in an elevated position to ease the pain.Ice therapycan also help.
After seven to 10 days, the stitches will be removed and the wound checked by your surgeon.
You may be given a smaller splint to wear for up to two weeks.
Long-Term Care and Rehabilitation
Recovery from tennis elbow surgery can take time.
Once the splint is no longer needed, extensive rehabilitation may be needed from aphysical therapist.
This can help you regain pre-treatment strength andrange of motion.
Risks of Surgery for Tennis Elbow
As with all surgeries, tennis elbow surgery poses certain risks.
This is because the operation takes place around delicate structures that are vulnerable to postoperative injury.
Possible risks of LHE include:
With that said, the risk of complications is low.
Summary
A lateral humeral epicondylectomy (LHE) is a surgery for people with tennis elbow.
It is used when all other conservative options have failed.
Relief is provided when a tendon in the outer elbow is released (severed).
The surgery is performed on an outpatient basis and takes less than an hour.
Recovery can take up to 12 weeks with a full return to sports in four to six months.
Postoperative complications like infection or tendon rupture are rare but can occur.
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis).
2016;4(4):366-70.
Pomerantz ML.Complications of lateral epicondylar release.Orthop Clin North Am.
2016;47(2):445-69. doi:10.1016/j.ocl.2015.10.002
