Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

What Are the Causes of Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow is caused by overuse and repetitive strain on the forearm muscles and tendons (e.g., motion involving forceful wrist extension or gripping).

Common Risk Factors

Sports

• Racket sports (e.g., tennis, pickleball) with poor technique.
• Throwing sports (e.g., baseball, softball, football, and javelin).
• Weight training.

Occupations and Hobbies

• Manual labor (e.g., carpentry, plumbing, painting).
• Repetitive tasks (e.g., typing, cooking, assembly work, tool use).
• Knitting and crochet.

What Are the Symptoms of Tennis Elbow?

Symptoms of lateral epicondylitis typically involve sharp, burning, or dull pain on the outer part of the elbow. This injury commonly develops slowly and worsens over time with continued movement. Additional signs may include:

• Weak grip strength.
• Pain that radiates into the forearm and wrist.
• Stiffness in the elbow joint.
• Pain that worsens at night.

Activities That Worsen Symptoms

According to the Mayo Clinic, pain and weakness from tennis elbow can make it challenging to perform certain activities and worsen symptoms. These may include:

• Gripping a racket or other objects.
• Holding a coffee cup.
• Turning a doorknob.
• Shaking hands.
• Lifting objects with the palm down.
• Opening jars.

Symptom Progression and Severity

If left untreated, tennis elbow can worsen over time, interfering with work, sports, hobbies, and routine activities.

How Is Tennis Elbow Diagnosed?

When you visit Texas Endovascular for tennis elbow, your provider will start with a thorough evaluation, which may include:

• A complete medical history and physical exam to check for pain, tenderness, and range of motion in the affected arm, elbow, and wrist. Your provider will also examine your grip strength.
• Imaging (if necessary) to confirm your diagnosis and rule out other causes of elbow pain. Imaging may include X-rays, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

When to Seek Treatment for Tennis Elbow

Signs You Should See a Doctor

Visit your nearest Texas Endovascular location for tennis elbow treatment if:

• You have been experiencing pain for six months or greater.
• Your pain worsens after a three months of self-care (e.g., rest, ice, over-the-counter medication).
• Your pain interferes with your daily activities.

Our board-certified interventional radiologists and vein specialists can confirm whether you have tennis elbow or another joint condition and recommend a personalized treatment plan.

Risks of Delaying Care

If left untreated, outer elbow pain may lead to chronic pain, limited range of motion, and long-term damage. These symptoms can negatively impact daily activities and athletic performance.

Transarterial Elbow Embolization (TAE)

Transarterial elbow embolization (TAE) is an interventional radiology-led image-guided procedure, which means it is more precise and less invasive than other leading procedures.

The physicians at Texas Endovascular are specially trained in this treatment, giving you high-quality, minimally invasive care close to home.

A recent ScienceDaily report highlighted research showing that TAE effectively reduces pain and inflammation in patients with chronic tennis elbow who have not responded to conservative treatments. 

How Does TAE Work?

This image-guided procedure targets abnormal blood vessels around the inflamed tendon, blocking blood flow to those causing pain and inflammation in and around the tendons, reducing pain and encouraging natural healing.

Step-by-Step Overview of TAE

1. Initial evaluation: The process begins with a consultation and imaging (e.g., ultrasound or MRI) if necessary to confirm the diagnosis and identify the location of the abnormality.
2. Procedure: The patient received local anesthesia, and a tiny catheter (a thin, flexible tube) is inserted into an artery in the wrist or arm. 
3. Guiding the catheter:  Using X-ray guidance, the interventional radiologist guides the catheter to the arteries supplying the inflamed elbow tendon.
4. Injecting the embolic agents: Microscopic particles are then injected through the catheter and into targeted arteries, blocking the abnormal blood vessels and reducing blood flow to the inflamed area.
5. Catheter removal: Once the abnormal blood vessels are blocked, the catheter is removed, and a bandage is applied to the puncture site.

Recovery Timeline and Patient Expectations

Patients return home the same day as the TAE procedure, and light activity is usually possible the next day. We encourage patients to avoid strenuous activity with the affected extremity for two weeks after the procedure. Full recovery takes a few weeks but is much faster than traditional surgery.

Benefits of TAE

TAE is a minimally invasive alternative to open surgery, offering relief without the downsides of traditional surgery (e.g., incisions, hospitalization, infection risk, more extended recovery periods, etc.). 

• Outpatient procedure: No hospitalization or long recovery periods.
• Minimally invasive: No large incisions or open tendon repair.
• Targeted treatment: Targets abnormal blood vessels rather than altering the elbow’s structure.
• Reduced risks: Pain, infection, scarring, or surgical complications.
• Improved function: Range of motion, grip strength, and overall elbow mobility.
• Faster recovery: Return home the same day and resume light activities within 1-3 days.

Is TAE Right for You?

The ideal candidate for transarterial elbow embolization includes individuals who:

• Have experienced chronic elbow pain.
• Have not responded well to conservative treatments like rest, physical therapy, or medication.
• Are looking for a non-surgical treatment option. 

When to Consider After Conservative Care Fails

If rest, physical therapy, bracing, or medications do not alleviate symptoms after one to two weeks, it may be time to consider TAE for tennis elbow pain. 

Complete our arterial screening questions and contact your nearest Texas Endovascular location to find out if transarterial elbow embolization is right for you. 

FAQs About Tennis Elbow

Can tennis elbow go away on its own?

Yes. Mild to moderate tennis elbow injuries can heal on their own with activity modification, rest, ice, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatories. However, severe cases often require medical attention.

What’s the difference between tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow?

• Tennis elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
  This injury occurs on the outside of the elbow, triggered by repetitive motions that strain the forearm.
• Golfer’s elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)

This injury occurs on the inside of the elbow, often caused by repetitive wrist and forearm motions.

How long does recovery take?

With regular activity modification and at-home therapies, mild to moderate tennis elbow can heal within a few weeks. If your pain does not improve after a few weeks of self-care, it’s time to consult your primary care provider.