The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
Tennis elbow release
Surgery for humeral epicondylitis (tennis elbow). This surgical procedure is undertaken to remove or repair damaged tissue and relieve the pain of the condition tennis elbow.
What is tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow is a common injury caused by the overuse of muscles and tendons in your forearm. It affects around 5% of adults, and despite it's name, the condition isn't necessarily caused by racket sports.
If non-surgical methods such as physiotherapy don't improve severe or long-term pain associated with tennis elbow, your consultant may recommend surgery.
Need to know
The procedure is done under general anesthetic. Your surgeon will make a small cut on the outside of your elbow. They will then expose the bone spur and excise it. The tendon is then repaired. Some surgeons may prefer to do this procedure arthroscopically (keyhole). They make a few small cuts on your elbow and insert a tiny surgical camera (arthroscope), allowing them to see inside your elbow joint and guide them during the operation. They will use instruments alongside the arthroscope to remove any bone spurs and cut or repair damaged muscles and tendons. They close the cuts with stitches. The procedure will take 45 - 60 minutes in theatre.
Your consultant will explain the procedure to you and answer any questions you may have. You may be asked to have an MRI scan to help pinpoint and understand the extent of the damage to your elbow. Because you will be having general anaesthetic, your consultant will let you know how long you need to avoid eating and drinking before your procedure.
Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you.
You should be able to return home the same day as your surgery. You may need to wear a sling for a few days while your elbow heals. Your consultant will let you know what to expect, and you may be given a number of physiotherapy exercises to help you regain strength and flexibility. It will take several weeks to make a full recovery. Your consultant will let you know when you can get back to your usual routine, including work or exercise.
Our Tennis elbow release locations
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
The Wilmslow Hospital
52-54 Alderley Road SK9 1NY Wilmslow
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
Institute of Sport Exercise and Health (ISEH)
170 Tottenham Court Road W1T 7HA London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Chelsea Outpatients
280 King's Road SW3 5AW London
The Princess Grace Hospital Outpatients
30 Devonshire Street W1G 6PU London
Elstree Waterfront Outpatients
Beaufort House WD6 3BS Elstree
Golders Green Outpatients
Golders Green Outpatients and Diagnostic Centre NW11 9PY London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.