Private Surgical Release for Tennis Elbow

What is surgical release for tennis elbow?

Tennis elbow is inflammation of the common extensor origin of the forearm – the point in the bone just above your elbow where the muscles and tendons that extend your wrist and fingers arise. It’s usually caused by overuse or repeated motions.

Most cases can be managed with treatments such as physiotherapy and steroid injections. If symptoms don’t improve, your consultant may recommend surgical release.

This minimally invasive surgery removes the damaged tissue and reattaches healthy tendon and muscle to the bone. The aim is to relieve tension on the tendon, reduce pain, and stimulate healing.

At Welbeck, this procedure is performed by our orthopaedic surgeons in our state-of-the-art Surgery Centre.

Paediatrics

We offer appointments to referred paediatric patients aged 12 to 18. For full information on our paediatrics service, please visit our main Paediatrics page.

What does surgical release for tennis elbow involve?

The surgery is usually performed under a general anaesthetic, so you’ll be fully asleep throughout the procedure. In some cases, your anaesthetist may also recommend a regional anaesthetic (nerve block) to provide additional pain relief afterwards. This option will be discussed with you before the operation.

Admission - You’ll be admitted by a nurse to your private room. This will include taking a short medical history, checking your medications, and recording pre-operative observations such as blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and oxygen levels.

Discussion with your surgical team - Your surgeon and anaesthetist will visit you in your room to talk through the procedure, answer any questions, and gain your consent.

Monitoring and preparation in theatre - When you’re taken to theatre, monitoring will be attached to check your heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen levels throughout the procedure. A cannula (small plastic tube) will be placed into a vein, usually on the back of your hand or in your arm.

Anaesthetic - You’ll usually be given a general anaesthetic so you’re fully asleep for the operation.

Regional anaesthetic (if used) - Before your surgery, your anaesthetist will discuss whether a regional anaesthetic (nerve block) is suitable. If agreed, the block is given under ultrasound guidance, usually after you’re asleep. It involves injecting local anaesthetic around the nerves supplying your arm to provide additional pain relief after surgery.

Surgery - Your surgeon will make a small incision over the outer side of your elbow. Damaged or inflamed tendon tissue is carefully removed, and healthy tendon and muscle are reattached securely to the bone. The wound is then closed with stitches and covered with a dressing.

Recovery - After surgery you’ll return to your private room rather than a separate recovery area. Staff will monitor you as you wake up, including regular checks of your blood pressure, oxygen levels and comfort. You may be given a sling for comfort, but you’ll be encouraged to begin gentle movement of your arm as soon as it feels comfortable. Before you go home, the team will give you advice on pain control, wound care, and when to restart physiotherapy.

What are the risks of surgical release for tennis elbow?

Surgical release for tennis elbow is a safe and effective procedure. Like all other minimally invasive procedures, risks may include:

• small scars 
• temporary pain and stiffness 
• abnormal bleeding
• infection
• injury to nearby nerves or blood vessels (rare)

How to prepare for surgical release for tennis elbow

Your surgeon will tailor your preparation instructions to you. They’ll give you every opportunity to ask as many questions as you’d like. They’ll also let you know how long you need to fast (avoid eating or drinking) before your procedure. 

Other things to consider include:

• if you smoke, you’ll be asked to stop, as this increases the risk of wound or chest infection

• you may need to stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners

• you may be given physiotherapy exercises to do before surgery to strengthen the muscles around your elbow

• leave jewellery and piercings at home if possible, as they usually need to be removed before surgery

• keep make-up to a minimum

• if you wear nail varnish, leave at least one nail on each hand free so we can monitor your oxygen levels safely

Recovery and aftercare

At Welbeck, surgical release for tennis elbow is performed as an outpatient procedure, so you’ll be able to go home on the day of the surgery. You may be provided with a sling for comfort, but will be encouraged to mobilise the arm as pain allows as soon as possible.

Pain relief will be provided, and you’ll be advised how to use it in the first few days after surgery. Your consultant will let you know if a follow-up appointment is needed and when to restart physiotherapy.

How much does surgical release for tennis elbow cost?

Please contact our Surgery Centre for pricing information.