Surgery or no surgery

[atthelake]

3 1/2 months of elbow pain was just diagnosed with an MRI as a "partial tear of the origin of the extensor carpi radialis longus" tendon. My orthopedic suggested surgery and said he would not reccomend PT because it would continue to irritate the tendon. I spoke to a physical therapist and he feels I should do therapy first for up to 12 months! When I've looked online, I've only been able to find surgeries for tendonitis (not a procedure to be done lightly)

Is a "partial tear" severe tendonitis? Both professionals seem to have good reasoning for their conclusions....but I am confused. I am not able to get a second opinion from a another orthopedic until 10/25. Should I be considering surgery? I am not an athlete, but I am tired of the pain. Thanks in advance for feedback from those who are more familiar with this condition.

[Heidi]

Hi
A tear and tendonitis are two different things and would require different surgical procedures.
My thoughts are that if you haven't tried any form of physical therapy up until this point, then I would go for 2-3 moths of this first and see if there is any imrpovement.
Most of these conditions are generally treated with conservative treatment such as this first, before surgery is resorted to.
Basically, I would look at it as if you do PT for a bit and it doesn't work, you haven't lost anything. If you go through surgery and then it may not be 100% effective, you may regret not trying PT 1st. Not that I am saying it won't be effective, but these things are not always a quick fix.