Plagued by Elbow Pain? When It’s Time to Consider Surgery

That nagging elbow pain you’ve been ignoring? The one that flares up when you lift, type, swing a racket, or even pour your morning coffee? If it’s sticking around longer than you’d like, your elbow may be trying to tell you something important.

While many elbow problems heal with rest and conservative care, some injuries don’t simply “work themselves out.” But when should you stop pushing through the pain and explore surgical options instead? 

This month, our board-certified surgeons at Sequoia Institute for Surgical Services share the top signs that it’s time to consider elbow surgery.

Why elbow pain lingers longer than you expect

Your elbow is a complex joint that takes on a surprising amount of stress every day. Repetitive motion, overuse, and injury can wear down tendons, ligaments, and nerves over time. 

Common culprits include:

• Tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow from repetitive gripping or wrist motion
• Elbow arthritis (usually in people over 50 or who have had previous elbow injuries)
• Tendon or ligament tears caused by sports (baseball and softball players, especially) 
• Traumatic injuries 
• Nerve compression (e.g., cubital tunnel syndrome) causing tingling or numbness

Many of these conditions respond well to physical therapy, bracing, injections, or medication, but not all of them.

5 signs it’s time to stop “waiting it out”

If you’ve been treating your elbow pain for months with little improvement, surgery may be worth discussing with Dr. Jonathan Liu and Dr. Huey Yuan Tien.

Red flags include:

• Pain that persists or keeps coming back
• Increasing weakness or instability in your arm
• Stiffness or loss of motion that limits daily activities
• Numbness or tingling that spreads into the hand or fingers
• Pain that interferes with your work, sleep, or exercise

At this point, continuing to power through your elbow pain can actually make the injury harder to treat.

When elbow surgery makes sense

Surgery allows your elbow to heal properly. When imaging shows structural damage, such as a torn tendon, ligament injury, or trapped nerve, surgery can correct the underlying issue rather than just masking your symptoms.

Put it another way: pain medication can make the pain go away for a little while, but it can’t suture a torn tendon back together.

Our team implements minimally invasive techniques (when possible), with smaller incisions, less tissue disruption, and a smoother recovery than traditional surgery. 

But your care plan doesn’t stop there. Surgery addresses the damaged part of your elbow, and physical therapy takes it from there. Your physical therapy plan helps to restore your strength, mobility, and confidence so you can use your arm without hesitation.

What to expect during a surgery evaluation 

Scheduling a surgical consultation doesn’t automatically mean surgery. During your appointment, Dr. Liu or Dr. Tien takes a close look at your symptoms, performs a detailed exam, and reviews imaging, such as X-rays or MRI scans, to understand exactly what’s going on.

Our focus is on precision, expertise, and individualized care, so we recommend surgery only when it’s the best path forward. 

If surgery is right for you, our team explains the type of surgery you need (there are many types), how to prepare, and what to expect afterward. 

Take control of your elbow pain

Getting answers sooner rather than later can prevent further damage and help you get back to doing what you love, with less pain and better function.

Call the location closest to you or click here to schedule an appointment.