Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) — SIGMA Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

Restore Strength, Reduce Pain & Return to Life — The SIGMA Way

Are you struggling with persistent lateral elbow pain, decreased grip strength, or difficulty with routine tasks like lifting, typing, or carrying groceries? At SIGMA Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, we believe that elbow tendon pain — commonly called “tennis elbow” or lateral epicondylitis — deserves more than temporary relief. It requires a smart, precise, and durable treatment plan designed for real healing, lasting strength, and return to activity. Our comprehensive Lateral Epicondylitis Program combines proven evidence-based treatments, advanced regenerative medicine, and our proprietary 100-Day Success Pathway to deliver predictable, measurable, and personalized outcomes.

What Is Lateral Epicondylitis — and What Causes It?

Lateral epicondylitis refers to inflammation or degeneration of the tendons that attach to the outer elbow (the lateral epicondyle), most commonly the extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon. Repetitive stress — such as from racquet sports, manual labor, typing, repetitive lifting, or overuse — leads to micro-tears, inflammation, tendon degeneration, and pain.

Common contributing factors include:

  • Repetitive motions of the arm, wrist, or forearm
  • Overuse in sports (tennis, racquet sports, throwing) or work (construction, carpentry, typing, assembly)
  • Poor biomechanics, posture, or ergonomics
  • History of tendon overload or inadequate tendon recovery
  • Aging and tendon degeneration over time

Left untreated, tendon degeneration can worsen, leading to chronic pain, weakness, and reduced function.

Why SIGMA’s Approach Stands Apart

Many practices treat tennis elbow with rest, braces, or steroid injections — which might relieve pain temporarily, but rarely address the underlying tendon degeneration or restore full strength. At SIGMA, we take a comprehensive, science-driven, patient-centered approach aimed at biological healing, functional restoration, and long-term durability.
Precision Diagnosis & Biomechanical

Assessment — We evaluate tendon quality, grip mechanics, wrist/elbow alignment, and repetitive strain factors to identify root causes.

Individualized Treatment Plans

We tailor treatment to your tendon pathology, activity goals, and lifestyle, whether you’re a weekend athlete, manual laborer, or office professional.

Regenerative Medicine & Biologics

When appropriate, we use PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) or BMAC (Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate) to stimulate tendon healing and regeneration rather than masking symptoms.

Structured 100-Day Success Pathway

Your recovery follows a clear, measurable protocol that guides tendon healing, strength restoration, and gradual return to activity with outcome tracking.

Integrated Rehab & Performance Rehab

With physical therapy, ergonomic adjustments, strength and conditioning, and functional training, we rebuild tendon strength and minimize re-injury risk.

Outcome Tracking via PatientIQ

We monitor pain, function, grip strength, recovery milestones, and patient-reported outcomes to ensure transparent, documented progress.

Treatment Options at SIGMA

Depending on the severity of your condition, functional goals, and prior treatment history, SIGMA offers a range of treatment options:
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Conservative (Non-surgical) Management

  • Activity modification and ergonomic evaluation
  • Rest, ice, anti-inflammatory measures
  • Physical therapy with stretching, strengthening, and tendon-loading protocols
  • Use of braces or supportive straps when indicated

Many patients with early or moderate lateral epicondylitis respond well to these treatments with structured rehab and time.

Regenerative Biologic Therapy — PRP or BMAC Injections

For chronic or recalcitrant tendon issues — when rehab alone isn’t sufficient — we offer:
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  • PRP Injections: Minimally invasive, using your own platelets to deliver healing growth factors to the injured tendon. This can help trigger tendon repair and reduce inflammation with a relatively quick recovery timeline.
  • BMAC Injections: A more robust biologic option harvested from your own bone marrow, delivering progenitor cells and growth factors to promote deeper tendon healing and regeneration. Ideal for more severe or persistent tendon degeneration or for patients seeking maximal long-term tendon health.

Both options are guided by ultrasound for precision and can be combined with our 100-Day rehab protocol for optimal results.

Surgical Options (Rare Cases)

For severe tendon degeneration, tendon rupture, or cases that fail conservative and biologic therapy — surgical tendon repair, debridement, or reconstruction may be considered. At SIGMA, surgical intervention is a last resort — reserved for patients who truly need it — and always combined with post-op rehab and outcome tracking.

What to Expect: Treatment & Recovery at SIGMA

Initial Evaluation
  • Detailed history and physical exam
  • Biomechanical / ergonomic assessment (work, sport, lifestyle)
  • Imaging or ultrasound as needed
  • Baseline strength / functional testing
Your Personalized Treatment Plan

Based on your presentation and goals, we design a treatment pathway that may include:

  • Conservative therapy
  • Biologic injection (PRP or BMAC)
  • Structured rehab and strengthening
  • Activity modification and performance training
The 100-Day Success Pathway

Our structured recovery plan focuses on:

  • Reducing pain and inflammation
  • Controlled tendon loading and strengthening
  • Functional restoration (grip strength, endurance, ergonomic adaptation)
  • Progressive return-to-work / sport / activity scheduling
  • Outcome tracking (PatientIQ, grip metrics, functional assessments)
Typical Timeline and Milestones
  • Weeks 0–2: Relief of acute inflammation, initiate gentle stretching/ mobility
  • Weeks 2–6: Gradual loading, start strengthening, ergonomic and technique optimization
  • Weeks 6–12: Progressive strengthening and functional training, grip endurance work
  • By Day 100: Majority of patients experience substantial pain relief, improved tendon health, and return to regular activity with reduced risk of recurrence
Long-term tendon resilience continues to improve with adherence to rehab and maintenance protocols.

Is This Right for You?

You might benefit from SIGMA’s Lateral Epicondylitis Program if you:

  • Have had elbow tendon pain for more than 4–6 weeks
  • Experienced recurrent flare-ups with gripping, lifting, or repetitive motion
  • Work in repetitive-motion jobs (carpentry, assembly, manual labor, typing)
  • Play racquet sports, golf, baseball, or other overhead / arm-intensive sports
  • Previously tried conservative therapy or steroid injections without lasting relief
  • Want to avoid surgery, repeated steroid exposure, or return to pain

During your consultation, we’ll discuss your history, functional demands, lifestyle goals, and craft a personalized plan.

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Why Choose SIGMA for Your Elbow Care?

Surgeon performing rotator cuff repair surgery while viewing the shoulder anatomy on a monitor.
  • Board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic specialists
  • Regenerative medicine and cutting-edge biologic therapies
  • Evidence-based protocols and outcome tracking
  • Personalized rehabilitation and performance-guided recovery
  • Concierge-style care: we coordinate imaging, injections, therapy, follow-up, and support
  • Focus on long-term tendon health and function, not just short-term pain relief

Whether you’re returning to the court, the construction site, the office, or everyday life — SIGMA helps you heal smart, heal strong.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’re tired of chronic elbow pain limiting your life, work, or sport — and want a treatment plan that prioritizes healing, strength, and long-term outcomes — SIGMA’s Lateral Epicondylitis Program may be exactly what you need.

FAQs

A: Many patients begin to notice pain reduction within 4–6 weeks, with continued improvement over 3–6 months. Tendon healing and remodeling may continue for up to 12 months.
A: No — we recommend modifying activities and avoiding repetitive stress, but controlled movement and gradual loading are encouraged under our 100-Day Success Pathway.
A: No — most patients respond to conservative therapy or regenerative treatment. Surgery is only considered if there is tendon rupture, severe degeneration, or failure of non-surgical measures.
Coverage varies by payer. Our team will assist you in submitting claims, and we can provide documentation to support medical necessity when indicated. For self-pay patients, we offer structured payment plans.