About Lateral Epicondylitis
Key Highlights
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Primarily non-surgical, conservative approach in pediatric cases.Focuses on restoring function for young, active patients.Tailored treatment plans considering growth and development.Helps prevent long-term complications and chronic pain.Enables safe return to sports and daily activities.
Who is this surgery for?
- Persistent elbow pain in a child or adolescent, localized to the outer elbow, lasting more than 6-12 months despite conservative care.
- Significant functional impairment that interferes with sports, school activities, or daily life.
- Failure of comprehensive non-operative treatment including rest, activity modification, physical therapy, and bracing.
- Confirmed diagnosis via physical exam and possibly imaging (like ultrasound or MRI) showing tendon degeneration.
- Young athlete in a high-demand sport (e.g., tennis, baseball) with symptoms refractory to all other measures.
How to prepare
- Complete a thorough pediatric orthopedic evaluation, including medical history and physical examination.
- Undergo necessary imaging studies (X-ray, MRI, or ultrasound) to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions.
- Complete a trial of prescribed conservative treatments (physical therapy, rest, bracing) as recommended.
- Pre-operative blood tests and a general health check-up to ensure fitness for anesthesia if surgery is planned.
- Discussion with the surgeon and family about the procedure, goals, risks, and expected outcomes.
Risks & possible complications
- Infection at the surgical site (if surgery is performed).
- Nerve or blood vessel damage near the elbow, leading to numbness, weakness, or circulation issues.
- Persistent pain or stiffness in the elbow joint.
- Weakness in grip strength or forearm muscles.
- Recurrence of symptoms or incomplete relief of pain.
- Risks associated with anesthesia (more relevant for surgical cases).
- Scar formation at the incision site.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial rest and immobilization with a splint or brace for a short period if surgery was performed.
- Gradual, guided physical therapy to restore range of motion, strength, and flexibility.
- Pain management with prescribed medications as needed.
- Strict adherence to activity restrictions, avoiding the causative sport or motion for the prescribed period (often several months).
- Follow-up appointments to monitor healing and progress in rehabilitation.
- Phased return to normal activities and sports under the guidance of the orthopedic team and physical therapist.
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Typical hospital stay: 0-1 days
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Expected recovery time: 6 weeks to 6 months
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering lateral epicondylitis in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with pediatric orthopedics departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform lateral epicondylitis. MediFyr helps you compare pediatric orthopedics and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for lateral epicondylitis compare across other countries where we have data.
Reyansh Shah is a 12-year-old, nationally...
Reyansh Shah is a 12-year-old, nationally ranked junior tennis player who trains 4 hours daily. For the past 3 months, he's been experiencing persistent, sharp pain on the outside of his right elbow, especially during his powerful single-handed backhand. The pain started interfering with his serves and began waking him up at night. His pediatric orthopedist, Dr. Evans, diagnosed Lateral Epicondylitis, likely from repetitive strain and overuse. After 8 weeks of failed conservative treatment (rest, physical therapy, a counter-force brace), Dr. Evans recommended a percutaneous tenotomy, a minimally invasive procedure to release the damaged tendon. The in-office procedure under local anesthesia was quick. Reyansh was anxious but felt only pressure. Post-procedure, he wore a splint for a week followed by a structured 6-week rehab program. At his 3-month follow-up, he was pain-free and gradually returning to training. Emotionally, he went from fearful his career was over to immensely relieved and cautiously optimistic, learning the importance of balanced training and listening to his body.
Pediatric Orthopedics for Lateral Epicondylitis
Explore experienced pediatric orthopedics who regularly perform lateral epicondylitis and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 14 Years Experience
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Manipal Hospital Ghaziabad, Ghaziabad
- 23 Years Experience
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata