Tennis elbow
A painful tendon condition at the elbow. Standard care is activity changes, physical therapy and time.
Elbow pain that won't improve?
Tennis elbow and other long-lasting tendon pain usually improve with standard care. For pain that won't improve, our team can talk through your options, including emerging ones.
- Minimally invasive options
- Outpatient care, no hospital stay
- Insurance checked before your visit
- Se habla español
Why it matters
Getting to the cause of elbow pain
Tendons connect muscles to bones. When they are strained over and over, as with tennis elbow, they can stay painful for months. Standard care for tennis elbow is activity changes, physical therapy and time.
When pain keeps going despite several months of standard care, our team starts with a confirmed diagnosis and a look at what you have tried. Embolization for tennis elbow is being studied, but research is early, mostly small studies, and results vary. Regular care comes first; embolization is only for selected patients whose pain won't improve.
Common symptoms
Does this sound familiar?
If any of these keep you from the things you enjoy, a visit can help find the cause and the options that fit you.
- Pain on the outside of the elbow
- Pain when gripping or lifting
- Pain from repeated arm motions
- Elbow pain lasting months
- Weak grip from pain
- Pain after sports or work strain
Conditions we treat
Conditions we evaluate and treat
Sports and overuse injuries
Tendon pain from repeated strain at work or in sports that stays painful for months.
Long-lasting tendon pain
Tendon pain that has not improved after several months of standard care.
Pain from a tear or pinched nerve
Imaging may be needed to rule out a tear, fracture or nerve compression, which need different care.
Treatments
Treatment options
Every plan starts with an evaluation. Your provider reviews your history, imaging and the treatments you have tried, then explains which options may fit.
TreatmentActivity changes and physical therapy
Adjusting the activities that strain the tendon, plus physical therapy, is the standard first step for tennis elbow. Time is also part of healing.
- First-line care for tennis elbow
- Builds strength and flexibility
Who it may help: Everyone with elbow tendon pain.
TreatmentJoint and PRP injections
Our team offers joint injections and PRP injections. Your specialist will explain whether an injection may help your elbow and what to expect.
- Done in the office
- Your specialist will review the options with you
Who it may help: People whose pain continues despite activity changes and therapy.
TreatmentEmbolization evaluation for tennis elbow
Embolization for tennis elbow is being studied. It uses a thin catheter and X-ray guidance to reduce blood flow to inflamed tissue. Evidence is mostly small studies without comparison groups, and results are uncertain.
- An emerging option, not a first step
- Considered only after a confirmed diagnosis
- Results vary
Who it may help: Selected patients whose elbow pain has not improved after several months of standard care.
Find out which options fit you
Our team checks your insurance before your visit.
What to expect
From first visit to follow-up
Screening visit
We review your history, examine your elbow and look at any imaging. Bring a list of the treatments you have tried and for how long.
Confirm the diagnosis
We make sure of the cause of your pain. Imaging may be used to rule out a tear, fracture or nerve compression.
A plan together
Most plans start with activity changes, physical therapy and time. We explain benefits, risks and alternatives, and check your insurance before any procedure.
Follow-up
We check in and track how you're doing, and adjust the plan if pain doesn't improve.
Our team
Led by experienced physicians
Chief Medical Officer
Vinod Kumar, MD, FACC, RPVI
Dr. Kumar is a board-certified cardiologist and vascular specialist who leads the Heart Vascular & Leg Center and Advanced Joint Pain & Vascular Center team. He treats arterial and venous disease, nonhealing wounds and joint pain with minimally invasive, image-guided techniques, and trained in joint embolization in Tokyo with Dr. Yuji Okuno.
Serving Kern County since 1992Part of Heart Vascular & Leg Center.
Minimally invasive careImage-guided options, done as outpatient procedures.
Insurance checked firstWe verify coverage and referrals before your visit.
Se habla españolOur team speaks English and Spanish.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Will tennis elbow get better on its own?
Standard care for tennis elbow is activity changes, physical therapy and time. Talk with your specialist about how long your pain has lasted and what you have tried.
Is embolization an option for my elbow?
Embolization for tennis elbow is being studied. Research is early, mostly small studies, and results vary. It may be considered only after a confirmed diagnosis and several months of standard care.
Do I need imaging?
Sometimes. Imaging can help rule out a tear, fracture or nerve compression, which need different treatment.
What should I bring to my visit?
Bring your medication list, insurance card, any imaging reports, and a list of treatments you have already tried.
Will my insurance cover it?
Coverage for joint embolization varies, and some plans consider it still being studied. Before your visit, our team verifies your coverage, referral requirements and any expected costs. We accept Medicare and many other plans, but plan acceptance does not mean every procedure is covered.
Locations
Find a location near you
Enter your ZIP code or city to see our offices sorted by distance. Procedures are done at our main center; our other offices see patients for consultations and follow-up visits.
Visit us
- Call for an appointment
- (661) 324-4100
- Locations
- 8 offices across Central and Southern California. Find the one nearest you
- Main website
- heartandleg.com