Non-Surgical Tennis Elbow Treatment with Embolization in Bronx, NY

Tennis elbow is a common cause of elbow pain that can make lifting, gripping, or daily activities difficult. When standard treatments like medications, injections, or physical therapy fail to give lasting relief, there is another option. At Swift Vein and Vascular, Dr. Pradeep Goyal offers tennis elbow embolization. This minimally invasive procedure reduces excess blood flow to the inflamed tendons in the elbow, easing pain and restoring function. To learn if tennis elbow embolization is right for you, contact Swift Vein and Vascular today to schedule your consultation.

What is a Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow is a remarkably common source of elbow pain, troubling many whose work or daily activities place repeated stress on the forearm and wrist. It typically causes discomfort along the outer side of the elbow, sometimes radiating into the forearm and wrist. At its core, this condition involves irritation and inflammation of the tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the bony bump (lateral epicondyle) on the outside of the elbow.

These tendons anchor the muscles responsible for gripping, lifting, and twisting motions. When overused, they develop microscopic tears that lead to pain, weakness, and reduced function. The condition is especially noticeable during repetitive motions such as typing, lifting, or racket sports, but it can affect anyone, not just athletes.

Symptoms of Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow usually presents with a clear pattern of pain and functional limitations. While severity varies, typical signs include:

• Outer Elbow Pain: Aching or burning pain on the outside of the elbow that may spread into the forearm and wrist.
• Pain During Grip: Discomfort when shaking hands, turning a doorknob, or holding objects firmly.
• Weakness: Reduced grip strength, often making simple daily tasks like holding a cup or lifting a bag challenging.
• Activity-Linked Aggravation: Pain worsens with repetitive wrist or hand movements, especially lifting or twisting.
• Tenderness: Pressure applied directly over the bony bump of the outer elbow often elicits sharp pain.
• Morning or Post-Rest Stiffness: Some experience stiffness or aching after waking or after prolonged rest.

Causes and Risk Factors of Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow generally results from overuse and repetitive strain on the forearm extensor tendons. While the precise trigger varies, several common causes and risk factors include:

• Repetitive Motions: Frequent gripping, lifting, or twisting of the wrist and forearm, whether in sports, typing, or manual labor.
• Sports and Occupations: Activities like tennis, badminton, painting, carpentry, or even prolonged computer use place repeated stress on the extensor tendons.
• Improper Technique: Using poor form in sports or work tasks increases tendon strain.
• Age Factor: Most common in adults between 30 and 50, when tendon elasticity begins to decline.
• Sudden Activity Changes: A sharp increase in activity intensity or duration can overwhelm the tendon before it adapts.
• Underlying Weakness or Tightness: Weak forearm muscles or stiffness in the wrist and shoulder alter mechanics, leading to added tendon stress.

Often, a combination of repetitive strain, poor mechanics, and individual anatomy creates the “perfect storm” for tennis elbow to develop, leading to persistent pain and functional limitations if left untreated.