The possible complications of tennis elbow surgery are described here by our hand surgery team in Düsseldorf:
Postoperative swelling
After tennis elbow surgery, slight swelling is normal. It may be more pronounced due to minor bruising or wound effusions.
Bruising and bleeding
The formation of postoperative bruising is rather unusual, but possible. As a precaution, we ensure careful hemostasis and, if necessary, the insertion of a mini-drainage, which can be removed after a short time.
Scarring disorders during tennis elbow surgery
So-called suprathreshold, bulging scars (or benign growths) can occasionally occur in people with the corresponding disorder. If we recognize these in time, we can take countermeasures, which unfortunately are not always promising.
Injury to neighboring structures (rare)
If the surgical technique is extremely extensive, branches of the radial nerve can be injured, which can lead to a reduction or loss of function of the muscles it innervates.
This is why we work with magnifying glasses during hand surgery. This procedure also requires our hand surgeons to have a sound knowledge of microsurgery in order to be able to suture the nerve again microsurgically in the event of a nerve injury!
Infections
We can minimize the risk of infection by working in a highly sterile environment.
Skin sensation in the area of the scar
We will inform you about any deterioration in sensation or numbness in the area of the scar. It is not uncommon for the skin near the scar to feel numb or insensitive after tennis elbow surgery. If this persists for over a year, improvement is no longer to be expected.
Tearing open the wound / suture
If the cast is worn postoperatively, it is not possible to tear the suture.
Wound effusion = seroma
As a large amount of tissue is removed using electricity during tennis elbow surgery, a so-called effusion of wound fluid can occasionally occur in the wound if the procedure is too aggressive. This is treated at the Yuveo Clinic in Düsseldorf by wrapping, immobilization and, if necessary, puncture.
Persistent complaints and relapse
Unfortunately, a relapse of tennis elbow or a new condition can occur even after an operation. Our Düsseldorf team will therefore inform you about this possibility.
