For patients in South Africa

Tennis elbow treatment in Turkey from South Africa: a plain guide

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is an overuse condition of the tendons that attach to the outside of the elbow. Despite the name, most people who get it do not play tennis: it usually follows repeated gripping, lifting or wrist movements at work or at home. Most cases improve without surgery, and much of that treatment can be done near home. This page explains honestly when travelling to Turkey makes sense.

Symptoms and diagnosis

• Pain on the outer side of the elbow, sometimes spreading down the forearm
• Weaker grip
• Pain when lifting, twisting, typing, carrying bags or opening jars

Diagnosis is usually made from your history and an examination of tenderness, grip strength and pain on particular movements. Ultrasound or MRI is used if symptoms persist or another condition is suspected. Send any scans and reports you already have, with a description of what you have tried so far.

Treatment options

• Conservative care — rest, changing the activity that strains the tendon, physiotherapy with stretching and strengthening, and a brace or strap
• Medication — anti-inflammatory tablets for a short time to ease pain
• Injections — corticosteroid or regenerative injections, in selected cases
• Surgery — rarely needed, and kept for cases that have not responded to conservative treatment over a long period; it removes damaged tendon tissue to stimulate healing

The treatment is matched to how severe your symptoms are, how long you have had them and what you need the arm for. More detail is on the tennis elbow treatment page.

Is the trip worth it?

Be realistic. Physiotherapy and activity changes take weeks to months and work best close to home, so travelling to Turkey for them alone rarely makes sense. The trip is more likely to be worthwhile when tennis elbow has persisted despite proper conservative treatment and a specialist, after reviewing your history and scans, recommends a procedure. If you are also considering other orthopaedic or sports treatment, the surgeon can look at both together; see our sports injuries guide and the wider orthopaedic surgery guide for South African patients.

Planning the trip from South Africa

• Flights: direct flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Istanbul take around ten hours, followed by a short domestic flight to İzmir
• Visa: South Africans apply for an e-Visa online before travelling
• Fitness to fly: after an injection or surgery, the specialist tells you when you can fly; book a return ticket you can change
• Records: take your treatment notes and rehabilitation plan home for your GP and physiotherapist
• Cover: South African medical schemes generally do not cover planned treatment abroad, and standard travel insurance usually excludes it

Recovery and follow-up

Recovery varies with the treatment and how long you have had symptoms. Mild cases can improve within weeks; long-standing cases can take several months. Rehabilitation restores strength, flexibility and function, and changing the activity that caused the strain helps stop it coming back. Risks are generally low, especially for non-surgical treatment, and may include temporary discomfort, local irritation or slower improvement than hoped.

Follow-up continues by message and video call; Turkey is only one hour ahead of South Africa. Medical complications arising from the treatment, and any revision that becomes clinically necessary as a result, are covered for one year from the date of treatment by our treatment guarantee. Any such treatment is carried out in İzmir by the treating team; flights and accommodation remain your own responsibility.

What we will not do

We will not recommend a trip, an injection or surgery before a specialist has reviewed your history, we will not promise a result, and we will not suggest surgery when conservative treatment has not been properly tried.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need surgery for tennis elbow?

Usually not. Most cases improve with non-surgical treatment. Surgery is only considered when symptoms persist despite a long period of conservative care.

Is it worth travelling from South Africa for tennis elbow treatment?

Rarely for physiotherapy alone, which is best done near home. It is more likely to be worthwhile when a specialist recommends an injection or surgery after reviewing your history and scans.

How long does recovery from tennis elbow take?

It varies. Mild cases can improve within weeks, while long-standing cases can take several months.

Can tennis elbow come back?

Yes, especially if the repetitive strain continues. Rehabilitation and changing the activity that caused it reduce the risk.

Will my medical aid cover tennis elbow treatment in Turkey?

South African medical schemes generally do not cover planned treatment abroad, and standard travel insurance usually excludes it. Ask both specifically before you book.

Start with a free online consultation. Planning the trip? Read the guide for South African patients and the e-Visa guide.