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Tennis Elbow

Are You Suffering From Pain in Your Elbow?

If you are suffering from pain and/or weakness in your elbow area you may have tennis elbow, also called lateral epicondylitis. Depending on the severity of your condition, our Austin, TX, doctors may recommend a custom physical therapy plan or a surgical procedure.

Texas patients trust the Orthopaedic Specialists of Austin because our fellowship-trained specialists are true experts.

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Major Symptoms of Tennis Elbow

Repetitive motions stress your muscles and tendons. This can cause pain that extends from your outer elbow through the forearm and wrist.

The primary symptom of tennis elbow is radiating pain from the elbow. You may also experience burning in the elbow, aches, and weakened grip strength. You may find routine activities such as turning a doorknob or holding a cup of coffee difficult. Left untreated, lateral epicondylitis pain may spread to your forearm and wrist.

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Some Patients May Need Surgery

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons estimates that roughly 80-95% of lateral epicondylitis patients can be successfully treated non-surgically. We try to help our patients with conservative treatments whenever possible. However, if your elbow pain persists after non-surgical approaches have been tried, we may recommend elbow surgery.

Common Causes of Tennis Elbow

Despite its name, tennis elbow affects more than just athletes. If you have a job that involves a lot of repetitive hand or arm movements, you are at risk of developing tennis elbow. This is because tennis elbow most often occurs from overuse of the muscles in the forearm. It is important to know that tennis elbow can also occur without a clear cause or repetitive use injury. This means you may have tennis elbow even if none of the below causes apply. Common causes of tennis elbow include:

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Playing Racket Sports Like Tennis

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Painting or Carpentry

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Using Drills & Other Tools 

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Cutting Meat

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Using a Computer Mouse

We Offer Many 
Treatment Options

Depending on your symptoms and the cause of your tennis elbow, we can recommend a variety of non-surgical treatments. Some common treatment options include:

Changing habits and equipment to reduce strain 

Physical therapy to strengthen muscles and tendons

Wearing a brace to reduce pressure on the tendons 

Medications to relieve pain and inflammation

What Makes Our Team Different

Board-Certified Fellows 

Every single surgeon on our team has earned board certification and has completed fellowship training. This means they have proven themselves to have elite levels of skill and knowledge attained through years of advanced education. 

Cutting-Edge Technology

Our practice has invested in advanced devices so our skilled surgeons have the best tools possible. We perform thorough evaluations by using ultramodern diagnostic tools. We use robot-assisted surgical equipment to complete optimal treatment. 

Conservative Approach 

Our surgeons do not recommend surgery unless it is absolutely necessary. In many cases, we are able to relieve pain and repair problems with a minimally-invasive approach. From therapy to a brace, we'll explore all of your non-surgical options first. 

Receive an Elbow Examination From True Orthopedic Experts 

Orthopaedic Specialists of Austin has been helping patients live pain-free since 2004. If you are suffering from pain inside or outside of the elbow, you should talk to our highly experienced team. Our specialists have the knowledge and experience to evaluate your symptoms, diagnose your condition, and offer effective treatment. Whether you have lateral epicondylitis or another hand, wrist, or elbow condition, we can provide care to get you moving without pain again.

Our practice has three locations in Travis County, in Austin, Cedar Park, and Lakeway. You can make an appointment at whichever office is most convenient for you.

We Work With Insurance 

Patients who are suffering from elbow pain may be tempted to avoid diagnosing and treating lateral epicondylitis because they do not want to deal with high medical bills. Thankfully, if orthopedic surgery is needed it is typically covered by insurance. Our team works with many insurance providers and is happy to help you navigate coverage issues.

Call (512) 476-2830

Tennis Elbow Surgery & Recovery

Procedure Basics

Our experienced surgeons can restore your mobility and relieve pain inside and outside of the elbow and in the wrist and forearms. This arthroscopic surgery procedure is generally done on an outpatient basis, meaning you'll return home on the same day as surgery. After we administer anesthesia, your surgeon will create a small incision and insert a thin, flexible tube with a camera and light for greater visibility of the tendons. Depending on your individual condition, your surgery may involve cutting the affected tendon, the removal of damaged tissues, or the repair of torn tendons. 

Recovery Info

You should expect full recovery to take anywhere from three to six months. That being said, recovery times vary significantly from patient to patient. Your commitment to physical therapy can have a great impact on how quickly you recover. Even after you have recovered, you may need to avoid the activity that caused your tennis elbow. If the activity is necessary, such as a daily work task, you may need to adjust your movements to prevent complications from overuse. Surgery is successful in as high as 90% of patients; however, some loss of elbow strength may be unavoidable. 

We Can Help You Prevent Tennis Elbow

Our surgeons are dedicated to helping each patient avoid pain and live a healthy life. After learning the cause of your symptoms, we can recommend various behavioral changes to help you avoid further elbow issues. These can include:

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Strength Exercises 

Our surgeons can recommend exercises to strengthen your muscles and tendons to help keep your elbow, forearm, and wrist flexible and strong.

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Proper Preparation

You can also avoid tennis elbow symptoms by adjusting your techniques, such as practicing proper warmups and selecting the right equipment for sports like tennis.