CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Tennis elbow release
- Care rated ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ by 97% of orthopaedic patients
- No.1 in London for private orthopaedic care
- Appointments confirmed within 24 hours
TENNIS ELBOW RELEASE AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
We understand how painful and limiting tennis elbow can be, and we’re here to help. With expert orthopaedic consultants from across 10 specialist fields, including dedicated elbow specialists, you can be confident you’re in safe hands.
Our skilled surgeons will work with clinical nurse specialists, radiographers, physiotherapists and other experts in a multidisciplinary team to tailor treatment exactly to your needs. It’s what makes us one of the leading providers of orthopaedic care in the UK, and why 97% of our patients would recommend us to their friends and family.
Our skilled surgeons will work with clinical nurse specialists, radiographers, physiotherapists and other experts in a multidisciplinary team to tailor treatment exactly to your needs. It’s what makes us one of the leading providers of orthopaedic care in the UK, and why 97% of our patients would recommend us to their friends and family.
Tennis elbow release is a surgical procedure used to treat persistent pain on the outside of your elbow, which is caused by damaged or inflamed tendons. Your surgeon will remove or repair your affected tissue, which should relieve your pain and improve your elbow function.
This can be performed using minimally invasive keyhole (arthroscopic) techniques. Arthroscopic surgery allows the surgeon to assess the entire elbow joint through small incisions, treat the affected tendon under direct vision and address any additional problems within the joint at the same time. The approach typically results in smaller scars, less soft-tissue disruption and a structured, graduated return to function.
This can be performed using minimally invasive keyhole (arthroscopic) techniques. Arthroscopic surgery allows the surgeon to assess the entire elbow joint through small incisions, treat the affected tendon under direct vision and address any additional problems within the joint at the same time. The approach typically results in smaller scars, less soft-tissue disruption and a structured, graduated return to function.
You might benefit from tennis elbow release surgery if you’ve been suffering from persistent pain on the outside of your elbow for 6-12 months and other, less invasive treatments haven’t been effective. Your doctor will usually recommend that you try rest, physiotherapy, bracing or certain types of injections before surgery.
Tennis elbow release is a relatively short surgical procedure, so you should be able to go home on the same day. If your operation happens towards the end of the day, or you need a little more time to recover, you may need to stay overnight.
Your consultant will let you know what’s best in your own case so you can prepare.
Your consultant will let you know what’s best in your own case so you can prepare.
No.1
in London for private orthopaedic care**
10
specialist orthopaedic fields offering personalised treatment
97%
of our patients would recommend us to family and friends*
Fast access to specialists
appointments bookable online or by phone
Expert orthopaedic treatments
from specialist hand and wrist consultants
State-of-the-art diagnostics
with results in as little as 48 hours
YOUR TENNIS ELBOW RELEASE SURGERY
What to expect
Your dedicated orthopaedic consultant and their multidisciplinary team will be here for you at every stage. They’ll take expert care of you, making sure that you’re comfortable, prepared and fully informed.
Your tennis elbow release surgery will be tailored to your needs, and your consultant will discuss your procedure with you in detail, but this should give you a good idea of what to expect from the process:
Your tennis elbow release surgery will be tailored to your needs, and your consultant will discuss your procedure with you in detail, but this should give you a good idea of what to expect from the process:
01
See a GP
The first step in any treatment is to see a GP. You can see your own GP, or a GP here at HCA UK. They’ll ask you about your symptoms and medical history and examine your elbow and shoulder to check your range of movement.
They may recommend some initial treatments, such as rest, physiotherapy or certain types of injections. These will often alleviate your pain.
They may recommend some initial treatments, such as rest, physiotherapy or certain types of injections. These will often alleviate your pain.
02
Dedicated physiotherapy assessment
Physiotherapy is a crucial part of tennis elbow treatment and can both reduce the pain and increase flexibility of the elbow. If your physiotherapy isn’t effective, the next stage may be to consider tennis elbow release surgery.
03
Orthopaedic consultation
Before any surgery, you’ll need to be referred to a specialist orthopaedic consultant. They’ll ask about your symptoms and how you’ve responded to any previous treatment, as well as your overall health and medical history. They may also perform a physical examination or test your range of movement. If you need any tests or scans before surgery, your consultant will explain their role and arrange your appointments.
04
Tests and scans
To get a detailed view of your elbow before surgery, your consultant will arrange for imaging tests that might include an ultrasound, MRI or X-rays, and talk you through your results before surgery.
05
Surgery
Your operation will be performed under general anaesthetic, so you’ll be asleep throughout. A small incision is made on the outside of your elbow, which allows your surgeon to release the affected tendon from your bone. They’ll remove any damaged tissue and may smooth your bone surface before repairing your tendon. Then they’ll close your incision using stitches.
In selected cases, tennis elbow release can be performed arthroscopically (minimally invasive or “keyhole” surgery). This technique uses a small camera inserted into the elbow joint to allow direct visualisation of the joint and precise treatment of the affected tendon.
The procedure is performed through small incisions around the elbow. Compared with traditional open surgery, the arthroscopic approach may result in a quicker return to work, smaller scars and a potentially more comfortable early recovery. It also enables the surgeon to identify and treat any additional problems within the joint during the same operation.
The surgery is typically completed within 45–60 minutes.
06
Recovery and aftercare
You should be able to go home that day, but you may need to wear a sling for a few days while your elbow heals. You won’t be able to drive yourself, so you might want to arrange for someone to help you get home.
Your consultant will let you know what to expect as you recover, and you may be given a number of physiotherapy exercises to help you regain strength and flexibility. It’s likely to take several weeks to make a full recovery.
Your consultant will let you know what to expect as you recover, and you may be given a number of physiotherapy exercises to help you regain strength and flexibility. It’s likely to take several weeks to make a full recovery.
Where can I get tennis elbow release surgery?
You can get expert diagnosis and tailored treatment for your tennis elbow symptoms across our network of hospitals and clinics.
Accessing private healthcare
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what treatments you’re paying for.
Find out more
Tennis elbow release surgery FAQ
The main cause of tennis elbow is overuse or repetitive strain in the tendons that allow you to bend your wrist backward away from your palm, which connect to your elbow. Repeated twisting, gripping and lifting can lead to tennis elbow, and activities as varied as using a computer mouse, doing manual labour or playing racquet sports like tennis can cause you to develop the condition.
Yes. There are several other conditions that can cause similar pain, discomfort or limited movement in your forearm and elbow, or have symptoms that can overlap with tennis elbow.
They can include:
- Arthritis, which can cause similar elbow pain but is an inflammation of the elbow joint itself, rather than any connecting tendons.
- Radial tunnel syndrome, which can cause elbow pain but is a result of your radial nerve being compressed.
- Bursitis, which is when the small fluid-filled sac in your elbow joint, called a bursa, becomes inflamed.
- Cartilage damage following an injury.
- Nerve problems in your neck or shoulder can cause pain and discomfort similar to tennis elbow.
- If you’ve sprained or fractured the ligaments or bones in your elbow, it can cause pain that’s similar to tennis elbow.
As there are multiple conditions that can be confused with tennis elbow, or overlap with it, it’s important to make sure you get an expert, accurate diagnosis to ensure your treatment is as effective as possible. Get in touch and we can help.
Yes, it can. It’s quite common for tennis elbow to resolve by itself with rest, or a change in the activity that caused it in the first place. It can be a slow process and take between 6-12 months.
In some cases, the pain may not subside by itself, in which case a variety of treatments might be recommended, including physiotherapy, injections or, in rare cases, surgery.
If you’re concerned about your symptoms or have any questions, please get in touch.
In some cases, the pain may not subside by itself, in which case a variety of treatments might be recommended, including physiotherapy, injections or, in rare cases, surgery.
If you’re concerned about your symptoms or have any questions, please get in touch.
In many cases, tennis elbow is caused by a temporary strain or overuse of your hand and forearm, and around 90% of cases subside without treatment, over a period of 6-24 months. In more severe cases, you might experience the pain for longer, particularly if your condition doesn’t get treated, treatment is delayed, or the damage to your tendons is particularly severe.
Tennis elbow can cause you to feel pain and tenderness on the outside of your elbow and down your forearm. That pain can increase when you grip, twist or lift with that arm, such as when you open a jar. It can also make your arm and elbow feel stiff first thing in the morning or make it difficult to fully extend your arm.
Many other conditions can be confused with tennis elbow, or overlap with it, so it’s important to make sure you get an expert, accurate diagnosis. Get in touch and we can help.
Many other conditions can be confused with tennis elbow, or overlap with it, so it’s important to make sure you get an expert, accurate diagnosis. Get in touch and we can help.
It’s quite common for tennis elbow to heal itself over time, with rest. If it’s more severe or not responding to rest, physiotherapy or certain types of injections may help. In very severe cases, tennis elbow release surgery might be recommended.
Recovery depends on several factors, including your age, the degree of damage to your elbow, and the complexity of your surgery. You might need to wear a bandage or splint for a few days or weeks after the operation, and you’ll be given physiotherapy exercises to help restore strength and flexibility.
It can take several months for you to fully recover, but you should be able to get back to everyday activities after a few weeks. Your consultant will talk you through your specific recovery in detail and let you know what to expect.
It can take several months for you to fully recover, but you should be able to get back to everyday activities after a few weeks. Your consultant will talk you through your specific recovery in detail and let you know what to expect.
You won’t feel any pain during your operation, because you’ll be under general anaesthetic. Afterwards, you might feel some soreness in your elbow joint, and from the incision made during your operation, but physiotherapy and over-the-counter pain medication should help to relieve it.
It’s a common procedure, and it’s considered low risk. However, there are risks associated with any surgery, including infection, ligament injury (causing elbow instability), stiffness, nerve injury, or ongoing pain. Your consultant will talk to you about these in detail before your surgery and make sure you’re comfortable.
Most of your recovery will take place in the weeks after your surgery, so your consultant and the team will help you prepare for that. They’ll show you how to care for your incision wound, explain which over-the-counter pain medications can help with soreness, and arrange for your physiotherapy exercises.
You’ll also have follow-up appointments to review your progress and physiotherapy to help your recovery.
You’ll also have follow-up appointments to review your progress and physiotherapy to help your recovery.
Our patients’ stories
“I expected to have to wait months. But he invited me back down the next day. It was the quickest I’d ever seen a consultant.”
Reviewed by