Arthroscopic treatment for chronic lateral epicondylitis

Percutaneous Tenotomy for Chronic Tennis Elbow: A Minimally Invasive Technique with Better Outcomes - A Case Series

Background

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis elbow) is a self-limiting disease of indeterminate pathogenesis. Conservative therapy is the treatment of choice. In chronic tennis elbow with failure of conservative therapy; surgical treatment is a method of choice. Percutaneous tenotomy of extensor origin for patients with chronic tennis elbow is a minimally invasive technique with better long-term outcomes.

Case Report

Ten patients (six males, four females) presented with chronic tennis elbow, who did not respond to conservative treatment/non-surgical intervention for more than 6 months underwent percutaneous tenotomy in an outpatient setting. Two patients were lost to follow-up at 2 months' post-operative. The remaining eight patients were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 3 years and assessed using the numerical rating scale, disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand questionnaire ,and Oxford elbow score. These scores had a statistically significant difference in baseline to 3-year follow-up values (P < 0.05). No adverse outcomes, recurrence of symptoms, and signs of lateral epicondylitis elbow were noted and none required open surgical release.

Conclusion

Percutaneous tenotomy, a minimally invasive technique is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for chronic tennis elbow and gives good pain relief and functional recovery.

Extracapsular subcutaneous endoscopic treatment for refractory lateral epicondylalgia: technique, retrospective results, and prognostic factors

Background

The extracapsular subcutaneous endoscopic treatment is a new and under-researched approach to the endoscopic treatment of refractory lateral epicondylalgia. We aimed to introduce the techniques of the method and the mid-long term clinical effects. Furthermore, we intended to identify demographic and surgical-related factors correlated with prognosis of extracapsular subcutaneous method.

Methods

Patients with a minimum of 6 months of conservative treatment for lateral epicondylalgia were recruited from March 2012 to July 2018. Key surgical techniques including microfracture and endoscopic suture were used. Visual analog scale (VAS), Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), and Disability of Arm (Shoulder and Hand, DASH) scores were used to evaluate clinical results. Univariable analysis and multivariable logistic regression were used to analyze effects of demographic characteristics and treatment techniques on prognosis.

Results

Seventy-eight patients were treated with modified subcutaneous extracapsular surgery. No serious complications such as neurovascular injury or infection occurred. Postoperative VAS, MEPS, and DASH scores significantly improved (P<0.001). Age was associated with prognosis regarding VAS score (P=0.023). Older age was an independent relevant factor for poor prognosis regarding VAS score (OR =0.914, 95% CI: 0.842–0.993, P=0.033), and microfracture during surgery related to poor prognosis for DASH score (OR =0.056, 95% CI: 0.004–0.783, P=0.032). Plaster fixation was an independent factor related to good prognosis regarding DASH score (OR =11.156, 95% CI: 1.009–123.363, P=0.049).

Conclusions

Extracapsular subcutaneous method of refractory lateral epicondylalgia has satisfactory and stable clinical results with high safety. Techniques of extracapsular method include debridement, microfracture, and tendon suture under endoscope. Young age, no microfracture, and postoperative plaster fixation were associated with good long-term prognosis.

Upper Extremity Injuries in Tennis Players: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management

Upper extremity tennis injuries are most commonly characterized as overuse injuries to the wrist, elbow, and shoulder. The complex anatomy of these structures and their interaction with biomechanical properties of tennis strokes contributes to the diagnostic challenges. A thorough understanding of tennis kinetics, in combination with the current literature surrounding diagnostic and treatment methods, will improve clinical decision-making.

Surgical Treatment of Tennis Elbow; Minimal Incision Technique

BACKGROUND

When non-operative treatment of tennis elbow fails; a surgical procedure can be performed to improve the associated symptoms. Different surgical techniques for treatment of lateral epicondylitis are prescribed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of surgical treatment for tennis elbow based on small incision techniques.

METHODS

This technique was performed on 24 consecutive patients between June 2011 and July 2013. Outcomes were assessed using the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE), Nirschl's staging system and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and satisfaction criteria.

RESULTS

There were 15 female and 9 male patients in the study. The mean duration of symptoms before surgery was 3.7 years. The average duration of follow-up was 34.8 months. The post-operative outcome was good to excellent in most patients. The mean VAS score improved from 7.2 to 3.5 points. The total PRTEE improved from 68.7 to 15.8 points.

CONCLUSION

This procedure provides a low complication rate which is associated with a high rate of patient satisfaction. Therefore, we suggest this option after failed conservative management of tennis elbow.