Tennis Elbow Treatment in Sherman Oaks and Santa Clarita, CA
If elbow pain or a weak grip is interfering with work, sports, or everyday activities, Dr. Alireza Nazemi, MD, provides orthopedic evaluation and treatment planning for tennis elbow in Sherman Oaks and Santa Clarita, California. Treatment may include activity modification, bracing, medication, and physical therapy, with surgery considered for persistent symptoms that do not improve with conservative care.
What is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow is a common name for the elbow condition lateral epicondylitis. It is an overuse injury that causes inflammation and microtears of the tendons that attach to the lateral epicondyle.
Tennis elbow is a painful condition occurring from repeated muscle contractions at the forearm. The condition is more common in sports activities such as tennis, painting, hammering, typing, gardening and playing musical instruments.
Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are similar, except that golfer’s elbow occurs on the inside of the elbow and tennis elbow occurs on the outside of the elbow. Both conditions are a type of tendonitis - inflammation of the tendons.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Tennis Elbow?
The signs and symptoms of tennis elbow can include the following:
- Elbow pain that gradually worsens
- Pain to the outside of the elbow that radiates to the forearm and wrist with grasping objects
- Weak grip
- Painful grip
- Pain that is exacerbated in the elbow when the wrist is bent back
What Causes Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow is usually caused by overuse of the forearm muscles but may also be caused by direct trauma such as with a fall, car accident or work injury.
Tennis elbow is commonly seen in tennis players, hence the name, especially when poor technique is used while hitting the ball with a backhand stroke. Other common causes include any activity that requires repetitive motion of the forearm such as painting, hammering, typing, raking, weaving, gardening, lifting heavy objects and playing musical instruments.
How is Tennis Elbow Diagnosed?
Your doctor will evaluate tennis elbow by reviewing your medical history, performing a thorough physical examination and ordering X-rays, MRI or electromyogram (EMG) to detect any nerve compression.
What is the Treatment for Tennis Elbow?
Conservative Treatments for Tennis Elbow
Your physician will recommend conservative treatment options to treat the tennis elbow symptoms. These may include:
- Limit use and rest the arm from activities that worsen symptoms.
- Splints or braces may be ordered to decrease stress on the injured tissues.
- Place ice packs on the elbow to reduce swelling.
- Avoid activities that tend to bring on the symptoms and increase stress on the tendons.
- Anti-inflammatory medications and/or steroid injections may be prescribed to treat pain and swelling.
- Occupational therapy may be ordered for strengthening and stretching exercises to the forearm once your symptoms have decreased.
- Pulsed ultrasound may be applied to increase blood flow and healing to the injured tendons.
Lateral Epicondyle Release Surgery
If conservative treatment options fail to resolve the condition and symptoms persist for 6 - 12 months, your surgeon may recommend a surgical procedure to treat tennis elbow called lateral epicondyle release surgery. Surgery is considered a last resort and only 1 in 10 patients requires surgical intervention. The surgical success rate for relieving tennis elbow pain is 85-95%. The goal of tennis elbow surgery is to remove the diseased tissue around the outer elbow, improve blood supply to the area, and alleviate your symptoms. Your surgeon will decide whether to perform your surgery in the traditional manner or endoscopically. Traditional surgery involves up to a 2” incision in the elbow area.
The endoscopic surgery involves one or two ½” incisions to the outer elbow area, the lateral epicondyle and the use of an endoscope with a camera for viewing internal structures. Each incision is called a portal. A blunt tube, called a trocar, is inserted into each portal prior to the insertion of the endoscope and surgical instruments.
The television camera attached to the endoscope displays the image of the joint on a television screen, allowing your surgeon to view the elbow joint. The large image on the television screen allows the surgeon to see the joint directly and to determine the extent of the problem.
The second portal is used for the insertion of surgical instruments. This portal will be used to move aside soft tissue in order to view the extensor tendon and its attachment on the lateral epicondyle. Your surgeon then trims the tendon or releases the tendon and then reattaches it to the bone. Any scar tissue present will be removed as well as any bone spurs. After the surgery is completed, the portals (incisions) are closed with sutures or tape.
This surgery is usually performed in an operating room under regional or general anesthesia on an outpatient basis as day surgery.
Endoscopic surgery is much less traumatic to the muscles, ligaments, and tissues than the traditional method of surgically opening the elbow area with long incisions. These incisions result in very small scars, which in many cases are unnoticeable.
What are the Risks and Complications of Tennis Elbow Surgery?
As with any major surgery, tennis elbow surgery may involve certain complications such as:
- Allergic reactions to medications
- Blood loss
- Heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, pneumonia or bladder infection
- Infection
- Nerve damage
- Radial nerve damage, causing numbness, tingling, burning or loss of feeling in the back of the hand and forearm
- Wrist weakness with extension
- Recurrence or failure of relief from symptoms
Why Choose Dr. Alireza Nazemi for Tennis Elbow Treatment in Sherman Oaks and Santa Clarita?
Tennis elbow can make gripping, lifting, and repetitive arm movements painful. Dr. Alireza Nazemi provides orthopedic evaluation to help identify the source of elbow pain and determine an appropriate treatment approach based on each patient's symptoms and functional needs.
- Individualized assessment: Evaluation of elbow pain, grip weakness, and limitations affecting daily activities.
- Non-surgical treatment options: Consideration of activity modification, bracing, medication, and rehabilitation when appropriate.
- Surgical evaluation: Assessment of persistent tennis elbow symptoms to determine whether a procedure such as lateral epicondyle release may be appropriate.
- Recovery-focused care: Guidance on rehabilitation and activity progression to support a return to normal activities.
Patients in Sherman Oaks, Santa Clarita, and surrounding Southern California communities can seek an orthopedic consultation to discuss their treatment options.
Tennis Elbow Treatment FAQs
What is tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow, medically known as lateral epicondylitis, is a condition involving damage to the tendons on the outside of the elbow. It commonly develops from repetitive forearm movements and can cause pain and reduced grip strength.
What are the common symptoms of tennis elbow?
Symptoms include pain or tenderness on the outside of the elbow, discomfort that extends into the forearm, pain when gripping objects, and weakness when lifting or twisting.
Can tennis elbow improve without surgery?
Yes. Many patients improve with non-surgical treatment, including activity modification, bracing, appropriate medication, and physical therapy. Treatment recommendations depend on symptom severity and how long the condition has been present.
When is surgery recommended for tennis elbow?
Surgery may be considered when symptoms persist despite an appropriate course of conservative treatment. An orthopedic evaluation can help determine whether lateral epicondyle release or another treatment is suitable.
What is lateral epicondyle release surgery?
Lateral epicondyle release is a procedure that addresses diseased tendon tissue near the outer elbow. Depending on the patient's condition, the surgeon may use an open or minimally invasive approach.
How long does tennis elbow take to heal?
Recovery varies according to the severity of the tendon problem, the treatment used, and the patient's activities. Mild cases may improve over several weeks to months, while recovery after surgery may take longer and require rehabilitation.
Is tennis elbow only caused by playing tennis?
No. Tennis elbow can develop from repetitive activities such as typing, painting, gardening, lifting, using tools, and playing musical instruments. It can affect people with or without a history of playing tennis.
Where can I get tennis elbow treatment near Sherman Oaks or Santa Clarita?
Patients in Sherman Oaks, Santa Clarita, and nearby communities can contact Dr. Alireza Nazemi's practice to inquire about an orthopedic evaluation for elbow pain and discuss suitable treatment options.
Schedule a Tennis Elbow Consultation in Sherman Oaks or Santa Clarita
Persistent elbow pain and grip weakness can interfere with work, exercise, and everyday tasks. If your symptoms are not improving, contact Dr. Alireza Nazemi, MD, to inquire about an orthopedic consultation in Sherman Oaks or Santa Clarita, California, and discuss a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
