Treatment Options
The cornerstone of conservative elbow treatment
What It Involves:
- Eccentric strengthening exercises (Tyler Twist)
- Range of motion exercises
- Manual therapy and soft tissue mobilization
- Ultrasound and electrical stimulation
- Sport-specific rehabilitation
Best For:
Tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, stiffness, post-fracture rehab
Your body's own healing factors concentrated and injected
What It Involves:
- Blood drawn, processed to concentrate platelets
- Injected under ultrasound guidance
- Promotes natural tendon healing
- 70-80% success rate for chronic tendinopathy
- Minimal downtime, no surgery
Best For:
Chronic tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, tendon degeneration
Short-term pain relief for acute flare-ups
What It Involves:
- Corticosteroid + local anesthetic injection
- Quick pain relief (within 1-2 weeks)
- Best used sparingly (max 2-3 per year)
- Not a long-term solution
- May weaken tendons with repeated use
Best For:
Acute inflammatory flare-ups, diagnostic purposes
External support to reduce strain
What It Involves:
- Counterforce braces for tennis/golfer's elbow
- Night splints for cubital tunnel syndrome
- Hinged braces for instability
- Custom orthoses for specific needs
Best For:
Tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, cubital tunnel, instability
Oral and topical medications for pain and inflammation
What It Involves:
- NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) for short-term use
- Topical anti-inflammatory gels
- Neuropathic pain medications for nerve conditions
- Muscle relaxants for associated tension
Best For:
Acute pain, inflammation, nerve-related pain
Non-invasive treatment using acoustic waves
What It Involves:
- Stimulates blood flow and healing
- 3-5 weekly sessions typically needed
- No anesthesia required
- Good option when other treatments fail
Best For:
Chronic tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, calcific tendinitis
When is Surgery Needed?
Surgery is typically considered only when:
- 1Conservative treatment fails after 6-12 months
- 2Significant tendon tears requiring repair
- 3Fractures or dislocations requiring stabilization
- 4Severe nerve compression not responding to therapy
- 5Significant joint damage (arthritis) limiting function
Dr. Reddy always exhausts conservative options before recommending surgery. When surgery is needed, minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques are preferred for faster recovery.