Arthroscopic tennis elbow release

Abstract

Lateral epicondylitis, originally referred to as tennis elbow, affects between 1% and 3% of the population and is usually found in patients aged 35 to 50 years. Although it was initially thought that lateral epicondylitis was caused by an inflammatory process, most microscopic studies of excised tissue demonstrate a failure of reparative response in the extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon and in any of the associated structures. Most cases of lateral epicondylitis respond to appropriate nonsurgical treatment protocols, which include medication, bracing, physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, shock wave therapy, platelet-rich plasma, and low-dose thermal or ultrasound ablation devices. However, when these protocols are unsuccessful, surgical measures may be appropriate and have a high rate of success. The results of arthroscopic surgical procedures have documented satisfactory results, with improvement rates reported between 91% and 97.7%. Recent advances in arthroscopic repair and plication of these lesions, along with recognizing the presence and repair of coexisting lesions, have allowed arthroscopic techniques to provide excellent results.