Tennis Elbow occurs due to increased pressure where the nerve runs in a tunnel behind the elbow. This creates enough pressure to affect the blood supply to the nerve serving the ring and little fingers. This can result in the sensation of pain, tingling or numbness in these fingers. Symptoms can be worse in the evening and may start gradually or suddenly.
Diagnosis is through our consultants taking your medical history, discussing your current symptoms and how they developed and physical examination of your hand and wrist, your elbow and neck may be examined too as this can also be a cause of your symptoms. If there is uncertainty, you may be asked to have an X-ray, ultrasound and/or a nerve conduction study (this is a test carried out at a separate time to your consultation by a neurophysiologist).
Treatment options available are:
Watch and wait: Symptoms may increase and not resolve
Splint: A splint is worn mainly at nighttime to prevent the symptoms from causing night-time waking.
Steroid injections: These can be provided in The Hand to Elbow Clinic (often at the same time as your consultation). Typically, these relieve the symptoms in the short term. If the symptoms respond well to the injection further injections may be provided in the future (but rarely more than 2-3 injections in total).
Surgery: This is usually carried out under local anaesthetic. The ligament causing the excess pressure is released so that the blood supply and nerve have more space. Our audits show more than 85% of patients have good or excellent results. The success of results is in part dependent on the severity and duration of the original symptoms. Risks of surgery will be discussed if you proceed with a carpal tunnel release surgery.
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