Arthroscopic tennis elbow release

Lateral epicondylitis, originally referred to as “tennis elbow,” affects between 1% and 3% of the population and is usually noted in patients aged between 35 and 50 years old. Although it was first thought 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 in any of these associated structures. Most cases of lateral epicondylitis respond to appropriate nonoperative treatment protocols. Nonoperative management includes medication, bracing, physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, shock wave therapy, platelet-rich plasma, and low-dose thermal ablation devices. When these are unsuccessful, however, surgical measures may be performed with a high rate of success. Satisfactory results of the arthroscopic surgical procedures have been documented, with reported improvement rates of 91% to 97.7%. The recent advances in arthroscopic repair and plication of these lesions, along with the recognition of the presence and repair of coexisting lesions, have allowed arthroscopic techniques to provide results superior to other measures.

Level of Evidence: Review Article

Keywords: Elbow, lateral epicondylitis, elbow arthroscopy, tennis elbow, Nirschl lesion