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The doctor told me I have a torn tendon in my elbow giving me tennis elbow. I've been told to go see a physical therapist. Shouldn't I have surgery to fix it?

Most studies show that patients with tennis elbow get better without surgery. This is true even if the tendon is ruptured. The therapist will help you figure out which movements brought on the problem and how to change your movement patterns.

Other rehab techniques will be used to help foster healing and promote normal tendon gliding. Surgery is usually saved for patients who don't get better with more conservative treatment. Doctors wait six months or more before suggesting surgery.

Reference: 

Raymond E. Peart, MD et al. Lateral Epicondylitis: A Comparative Study of Open and Arthroscopic Lateral Release. In The American Journal of Orthopedics. November 2004. Vol. 33. No. 11. Pp. 565-567.

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