When Rehab Fails Minimally Invasive Tennis Elbow Surgery Preferred Over Traditional Surgical Approach
Tennis elbow is a common condition that affects individuals from different walks of life. You don’t have to be a tennis player to suffer from persistent and intractable pain on the outside of the elbow – in fact, normal activities of daily living like keyboarding and swinging a hammer can lead to elbow pain. (Of course, it is commonly associated with sports like tennis.)
In the majority of cases conservative treatment of elbow pain (with anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, bracing, and steroid injections) leads to complete resolution of symptoms. In some cases, however, surgery is needed to address symptoms that do not improve.
Traditional open surgical techniques are successful, but leave behind large incisions and more trauma to the soft tissues. That’s can make recovery slower and outcomes less than optimal.
New Arthroscopic Tennis Elbow Surgery
The latest minimally invasive advances allow us to perform tennis elbow surgery arthroscopically – with a quick resolution of symptoms, fast recovery, and early return to activity and sport. From a cosmetic standpoint arthroscopy produces minimal scars compared to open techniques which results in a prominent scar on the outside of the elbow.
Perhaps most importantly, the arthroscopic approach still enables elbow surgeons to evaluate the inside of the elbow joint and effectively address problems like arthritis or lose bodies.
If you are dealing with unremitting pain around the elbow and you are considering surgery it is important to obtain an evaluation by an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in elbow arthroscopy and sports medicine. Contact VOSS today to determine if arthroscopic tennis elbow surgery is right for you 757.673.5680.
About Dr. Alexander Aboka
Alexander M. Aboka, MD, MPH, is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, arthroscopy, minimally invasive ACL reconstruction, reverse total shoulder replacement, hip labrum tear repair, and shoulder and knee reconstructive surgery. He holds a doctor of medicine degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and a master in public health degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health — both in Pittsburgh, Pa.r. Aboka completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, N.M. In addition, he completed an orthopaedic sports medicine fellowship at the Cincinnati Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, with advanced training in sports medicine, modern arthroscopy, and shoulder and knee reconstructive surgery. He speaks English and Spanish.
For more information about our sports medicine program, or to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Aboka, our fellowship trained arthroscopic shoulder surgery specialist, please call us today at 757.673.5680.