Compare options

	Non-operative treatment	Surgery
What is involved?	Relief of symptoms and patience while your body heals.	Surgery to reattach the tendon.
Recovery	Using your arm like normal even when it’s still hurting.	1 week or month of immobilization; Avoid strength for 4 months.
Appearance	The front of the elbow may look a little different.	A scar or scars on the elbow.
Elbow bending strength	Near normal.	Near normal.
Strength turning the palm upward	Average: 60% of normal.	Average: 80% of normal.
Fatigue, pain	Seems uncommon.	Not clear if it’s more or less common after surgery.
Advantage	Avoid the risks, discomforts, and inconveniences of surgery; Immediate return to normal routine allowed; No scar.	More strength turning your palm up.
Disadvantage	Less strength when turning your palm upward.	Scar; Risks: - 40 out of 100 people have a minor adverse event such as temporary numbness. - 15 out of 100 people have a major adverse event such as permanent numbness, extra bone growth, or tendon re-rupture.