If treatment does not help within six to 12 months, surgery is sometimes recommended. Surgery will remove diseased muscle and reattach healthy muscle to the bone, according to the AAOS. The type of surgery selected is determined by a number of factors. The AAOS says that these include: the scope of the injury, general health and personal needs. The most common type of surgery for tennis elbow is open surgery, usually performed on an outpatient basis. Arthroscopic surgery is another type of surgery performed for this injury. Like open surgery, this procedure does not usually require an overnight stay at a hospital.
That said, surgery can involve risks. These risks include infection, nerve and blood vessel damage, possible prolonged rehabilitation, loss of strength, loss of flexibility, and the possibility of a need for more surgery, according to the AAOS. After surgery, a splint will be used to immobilize the area. But the splint usually only stays on for a week. At this point, specific exercises will be recommended to get the elbow back in the swing. About two months later, strengthening exercises will be added. And generally, normal activity can be resumed four to six months after surgery is performed.
The good news is that the statistics associated with surgery are excellent. Though strength can be compromised, the AAOS says that 80 to 90 percent of patients experience successful tennis elbow surgery.