lateral epicondylitis

Swamp · 01-30-2008, 07:27

Posted this over on SOCNET but I thought I'd also post here to get more feedback. Looking for some advice. Just wondered if anyone has ever undergone the lateral epicondylitis/ tennis elbow surgery. After three steroid shots the ortho doc I go to is unwilling to give another shot and wants to perform surgery (minimally invasive). Anybody out there had this done? Success rate? Recovery problems? Thanks for the input...Swamp

**Eagle5US** · 01-30-2008, 10:16

I have had a number of patients undergo this surgery with significant success.

FYI: Internet BBS communities are no place to second guess your orthopedic surgeon...another orthopedic surgeon's office is. Second opinions are not only your friend, but allow educated feedback on your specific situation based on adjunctive imaging studies and a thorough physical exam.

Good luck on your decision

Eagle

ReconDoc242 · 01-30-2008, 13:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle5US

I have had a number of patients undergo this surgery with significant success.

FYI: Internet BBS communities are no place to second guess your orthopedic surgeon...another orthopedic surgeon's office is. Second opinions are not only your friend, but allow educated feedback on your specific situation based on adjunctive imaging studies and a thorough physical exam.

Good luck on your decision

Eagle

couldnt have said it better myself. That is some sound advice.

Swamp · 02-01-2008, 07:27

Thanks for the replies...I've decided to go ahead and get it done. A six week recovery should not be to bad...Will post my results, so anybody in the same boat can have some insight on recovery etc. Regards, Swamp

arapp3 · 02-01-2008, 08:45

Yes. I had the surgery done in NOV 07.

I tweaked the elbow in APR 06 lifting weights (reverse arm curls) and tried to rest it, cortisone shots X 3, and lifting through it. I sought the advice of William Grana, a Sports Med. Dr. in Tucson, AZ. He is the head of the Ortho Assoc. in the U.S. and the lead ortho guy for the Chi Sox Spring Training.

He performed what is called Open Debridement (Dee-Breedment). The reason I am telling you this is because there are a few methods/versions of how to do tennis elbow surgery. I have to say that after some very patient P.T./Rehab, I am now 99% pain free and back in the weight room working on Machines and still doing my PT exercises to strengthen the weak arm.

I want to tell you how bad my Tennis Elbow was. For 1.6 years the pain was between a 6 and 10 pain scale (they always ask you, "on a scale 1 to 10) daily. I have never been so frustrated.

The surgery Dr. Grana performed involved cutting the NAI open, cutting and shortening the tendon, scraping the junk out of the area, drilling a few small holes in my bone to allow for blood flow, reattaching the tendon and sewing me back up. I was in a splint for two weeks. Muscle atrophy set it once it came off. The arm was noticeably smaller/skinnier. I started the PT exercises. Took 3 ibuprofen 3 X daily and iced the elbow for 15 minutes after my PT exercises. There was still pain ... you just adjust your routine as needed. I actually stopped my exercises because it was causing pain. So I laid low and did not use the arm for ANYTHING even though strength was returning. No turning of door knobs, no holding pots and pans while doing dishes, nothing .. you get my point.

Now, I am proceeding with what I like to call "cautious optimism." I think for the most part, I am rehabilitated.

Do your reasearch on the different methods of surgery for Tennis Elbow. I highly suggest Dr. Grana if you can fly into Tucson. I am extremely satisfied. You don't want a poor Ortho guy doing this surgery!

If you want to talk offline, drop me a note and we'll arrange.

Andy

**The Reaper** · 02-01-2008, 08:47

Andy:

Fill in your profile and introduce yourself before posting again, as you were directed in your registration message.

Without that, we have no idea who is passing out advice or asking questions.

TR