Elbow Tenotomy

Elbow Pain Treatments

What is Elbow Tenotomy?

An Elbow Tenotomy is a surgical procedure that is used to treat tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow. The goal of the procedure is to decrease pain and other symptoms by using tiny surgical instruments to carefully trim damaged or scarred tendon tissue. Once the damaged or scarred tendon tissue is removed, the elbow can move freely and easily without causing pain or other symptoms.

An Elbow tenotomy was performed for many years as an open incision procedure but, at OSS Health, modern surgical techniques allow many Elbow Tenotomies to now be performed arthroscopically using a small surgical camera and small surgical tools.

How is an Elbow Tenotomy Performed at OSS Health?

In most cases, Elbow Tenotomy is performed as an outpatient procedure by the Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeons at OSS Health.

During an Elbow Tenotomy procedure the following steps are performed:

  1. Incision. For the arthroscopic procedure, two very tiny incisions are made. For the open procedure, a small incision is made near the back of the elbow.
  2. Tissue removal. Damaged or scarred tissue is carefully trimmed away.

Incisions are carefully closed and covered with dressings and the patient is placed in a comfortable brace or sling.

Total procedure time is usually less than an hour and most patients are able to return home the same day as their procedure. Physical Therapy is an important part of recovery as it helps increase elbow strength and range of motion.

The Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeons at OSS Health have performed thousands of Elbow Tenotomies and are experts in this procedure.