Tennis elbow, known as “epicondylitis,” mostly occurs in adults over the age of 30 and most of them actually have multiple-nerve dysfunction, though many come in with only localized pain in the elbow. It is often unclear in each patient whether it is the tendon/muscle origin or nerve malfunction at the elbow that is causing pain or even a combination of the two. It can be miserable and interfere with your use of the hand, holding even something as light as a coffee cup. The most painful position is with the elbow straight, arm stretched out reaching and grabbing something palm down.

Myths About Tennis Elbow

1) Wearing braces will reliably help the problem go away. Untrue.

2) Specific exercises have a beneficial effect on resolving symptoms. Untrue.

3) Releasing the muscle tendon origin and removing tissue is necessary to solve the problem when it persists, i.e., when nonoperative measures fail. Untrue.

The Best Treatment

The best treatment for tennis elbow originated in 1959 in the form of denervation. The best results with the fastest resolution of symptoms and the least “down time” have been reported with percutaneous elbow denervation. This has been my preferred treatment for this problem for the past 27 years. Is this an office procedure? Yes, it can be, though some patients, particularly those who are markedly overweight, are better treated in a formal operating room.

Recuperation After PLET/Denervation

The patient is allowed to use the hand and arm to the full comfort level, but we ask that the patient does not throw or pound for three weeks. Otherwise, activities are relatively unrestricted except as needed to keep it from being too sore. It typically takes about four months for the patient to feel complete symptom elimination. There is only a rare failure.

Risks

There is really only one substantial risk and that is the very tiny chance of an infection. When done under sterile conditions and with a protective bandage worn for a few days, no one should get an infection.