Elbow Epicondylitis Surgeon
Are you an athlete who participates in golf, tennis, racquet sports or activities requiring repetitive motions? If so, you are at an elevated risk of developing a condition known as epicondylitis. Elbow epicondylitis causes pain on the inner or outer elbow that worsens with lifting or gripping activities. Elbow epicondylitis repair surgeon, Dr. James Mazzara provides diagnosis and both surgical and nonsurgical treatment options for patients in Manchester, South Windsor, Enfield, Glastonbury and surrounding Hartford communities who have symptoms of golfer’s elbow or tennis elbow. Contact Dr. Mazzara’s team today!
What is Elbow Epicondylitis Repair?
Elbow epicondylitis repair is a surgery technique used to treat tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) and golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis.) Both conditions are caused by degenerative changes in the tendon, due to overuse and repetitive stress to the tendons of the elbow. For patients who are diagnosed with elbow epicondylitis, surgery is recommended, especially for patients who have not responded to other, more conservative treatments, within a 6-12 month period. Manchester, South Windsor, Enfield, Glastonbury and surrounding Hartford communities elbow surgeon, Dr. James Mazzara, is trained and experienced in lateral and medial elbow epicondylitis repair.
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How is golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow treated after non-surgical measures fail?
Patients who suffer from lateral and medial elbow epicondylitis typically have poor technique when performing repetitive movements such as swinging a club, racquet or on the job. The continued strain causes microscopic tears in the tendon. Many patients often report pain with routine daily activities. Often, non-surgical treatment is prescribed. However, if non-surgical methods fail to alleviate symptoms, surgery may be necessary.
Treating lateral and medial elbow epicondylitis depends on the severity of damage to the tendons of the elbow. Dr. Mazzara may perform an MRI to determine the exact location and extent of damage to the tendon. If the degeneration is moderate to severe, Dr. Mazzara will recommend an elbow epicondylitis repair.
What is done during elbow epicondylitis surgery?
Lateral and medial elbow epicondylitis repair can be done with either minimally invasive or open surgery. In this technique, Dr. Mazzara will remove the diseased muscle for the elbow area and reattach healthy muscle back to the bone. A procedure called debriding will clean and remove damaged tissue and a tendon repair is performed to suture normal tissue to the bone to facilitate healing.
What is the recovery process after elbow epicondylitis repair?
The arm is placed in a dressing after surgery that should be left in place for two days. After that, the patient can remove the dressing and use the arm as tolerated. There are no activity related restrictions once patients are 48 hours from surgery. In fact, Dr. Mazzara believes that patients heal better and faster if they resume normal activities 48 hours after their surgery. Patients are given a set of instructions for care of the healing elbow and to manage pain. Dr. Mazzara will see patients in the office between 7-10 days after epicondylitis repair surgery. Physical therapy may then begin and will continue until the patient reaches a full recovery. Often a trainer is consulted to advise the patient on technique and how to avoid further lateral and medial elbow injury. Patients can expect to return to their normal activities after 4-6 months.
For more information on lateral and medial elbow epicondylitis repair, please contact the offices of Dr. James Mazzara, orthopedic elbow surgeon, treating patients in Manchester, South Windsor, Enfield, Glastonbury and surrounding Hartford communities.