Tennis elbow

Complaints Tennis elbow

Tennis elbow (also known as 'lateral epicondylitis') is an overuse injury occurring in the lateral side of the elbow region. All activities of daily living may cause a tennis elbow and is often seen after heavy manual work. Tennis elbow occurs at ± 2% of the population and is most seen in the age group between 40 and 50 years.

The symptoms are probably caused by degeneration of the tendon tissue at 1 cm from the attachment to the bone. Minor tendon tears can occur and locally reduced blood flow often slow healing, due to its poor blood supply.

The most common symptoms of tennis elbow are:

Pain at the outside of the elbow in all work
Pressure pain at the outside of the elbow

To confirm a tennis elbow you have to stretch the middle finger against resistance with the elbow extended with pain as a result. An X-ray usually does not show abnormalities

Tennis elbow treatment

If the symptoms are more than 6 to 12 weeks duration, you can opt for a GPS (Gravitational Platelet Separation) treatment. It is an autologous concentration of platelets in a small volume of plasma and is rich in several growth factors that promote tendon healing.

The treatment of TENNIS ELBOWis a minor surgical procedure and is as follows:

The treatment is performed under anesthesia
The treatment area is marked with a marker and a small amount of blood is collected and processed by centrifuge to isolate the platelets
Then the solution (GPS®) is injected into the tendon and the area around.
Finally, a small sterile dressing and sling is applied

Preparation

First you visit the doctor's assistant or anesthesiologist. She will discuss with you what will happen before, during and after the treatment and the various forms of anesthesia and pain management, both during and after surgery. More information about anesthesia, you can read here.
The day of treatment is scheduled. You can return home on the on the same day of surgery.
You appear sober at the clinic (at 00:00 hour before the day of treatment)
You wear comfortable clothing and shoes and leave valuables at home as much as possible
You will positioned and treated in the operating suite
Spare your treated arm the first few hours / days after treatment.

Recovery

The physical therapist will explain how to use the crutches and the exercise at home so recovery will be as smoothly as possible.
After 1 day the sling may be removed.
Pain and swelling indicates that you have to reduce your physical activities
Physiotherapy is not necessary
You can drive if your arm feels strong and stable enough. The period during which work can be resumed depends on the type of work you do.
Be careful during sport activities

Complications

Although the risk of a complication of this treatment is low, complications may be related to anesthesia or infections. Consult your surgeon with the following complications:

Elbow remain sensitive
Elbow complaints
Infection of the elbow

Sometimes the treatment is not what you had expected. Please consult our clinic if any question or may complication occur.

Expectations

Treatment often has good results, resulting in lasting pain relief and improved function. Usually a considerable improvement is achieved: 70-80% of patients were satisfied or very satisfied.

FREQUENT ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Is tennis elbow always has to do with tennis?
No, it has to do with repeated stretching movements of wrist and fingers. There is also a golfer’s elbow, which is much less common and is not directly related to golf, but with repeated bending movements of the wrist and fingers. This condition causes pain on the inside of the elbow.

Does the GPS ® material based on my own blood?
Yes, only your own blood will be used.

Is the treatment ensured?
Yes, this treatment is ensured.

I have already several treatments. Is GPS® treatment still possible?
Yes, in most of the cases.

Prepare yourself by reading all the information given. For any questions please telephone or email contact with Orthopedium.