Tennis Elbow Treatment: Release Surgery and Tendon Repair
Most tennis elbow settles with non-surgical treatment. If tennis elbow pain persists despite non-surgical treatment, Dr. Poh Keng Soon offers tennis elbow release surgery in Singapore. The procedure involves removing damaged tendon tissue and repairing the tendon where needed. Dr. Poh also provides non-surgical treatment options at Gleneagles Hospital and Mount Alvernia Hospital.
Tennis Elbow Treatment Before Surgery
Most tennis elbow is treated without surgery first. The non-surgical options include:
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Rest and activity modification: Reducing the activities that aggravate the elbow, such as repeated gripping.
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Physiotherapy: Stretching and strengthening exercises for the forearm and elbow.
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Elbow Band or strip: A band or strip that rests the tendon where it attaches at the elbow.
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Anti-inflammatory medication: Medication to ease pain and swelling.
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Shock wave therapy and steroid or PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections: Options for long-standing tennis elbow.
When Is Tennis Elbow Release Considered?
Tennis elbow release is considered when:
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Symptoms continue after a sustained period of non-surgical treatment.
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Pain and weakness limit work or daily activities.
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Scan evidence shows damage to the tendon.
Dr Poh may recommend tennis elbow surgery if symptoms do not respond after non-surgical treatment.
Recovery and Rehabilitation After Tennis Elbow Surgery
Following tennis elbow release surgery, patients typically undergo a period of rehabilitation to optimise healing and restore function. This may involve:
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Postoperative Care: Immediate care includes pain control, wound and dressing care, and activity modification, including avoiding strenuous activities involving the operated arm. Patients can usually resume light activities immediately after surgery.
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Physical Therapy: The elbow, forearm, fingers and wrist can be mobilised immediately after surgery, without a splint or cast. Stretching exercises for the common extensor tendons can begin after 2 weeks, followed by strengthening exercises after 4 to 6 weeks.
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Activity Modification: Patients can gradually return to work and resume racket sports and activities involving heavy gripping after surgery, depending on their recovery, job demands and the physical requirements of each activity.
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Pain Management: Medications and modalities to manage post-operative pain and inflammation.
The recovery timeline after tennis elbow release surgery varies and depends on the surgical technique, the extent of the tendon damage and the patient's progress.
Tennis Elbow Surgeon in Singapore: Dr. Poh Keng Soon
Dr. Poh Keng Soon is a Singapore Medical Council-registered orthopaedic specialist who completed subspecialty fellowship training in sports, shoulder and elbow surgery in Melbourne. He treats tennis elbow with non-surgical treatments options, including bracing, shock wave therapy, steroid and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, and tennis elbow release surgery.
Qualifications & Professional Appointments
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Medical Qualifications: MRCS (Edinburgh, 2013), Master of Medicine (MMed) in Orthopaedic Surgery from the National University of Singapore (2017) and FRCS (Edinburgh, 2018).
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Clinical & Academic Appointments: Visiting Consultant at National University Hospital and Adjunct Assistant Professor at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.
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Subspecialty Fellowship: Completed sports, shoulder and elbow surgery training in Melbourne, Australia, under a Ministry of Health Health Manpower Development Plan (HMDP) award.
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Hospital Accreditation: Accredited to perform surgery at Mount Elizabeth, Mount Elizabeth Novena, Gleneagles, Parkway East, Mount Alvernia and Farrer Park hospitals, as well as Thomson Medical Centre, Cura, Aptus and Novaptus Medical Centre.