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Arthroscopic lateral capsule resection is enough for the management of lateral epicondylitis

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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

Controversy exists with regards to the etiology and treatment of lateral epicondylitis and the role of the lateral capsule in this pathology. The aim of this study was to compare arthroscopic lateral capsule resection with or without extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) tendon debridement for treatment of lateral epicondylitis.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of 38 patients who underwent arthroscopic surgery for LE with two different techniques: Eighteen patients were treated with arthroscopic lateral capsular resection (LCR) + ECRB debridement and 20 patients were treated with arthroscopic LCR alone, without ECRB debridement. Both groups were assessed with Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QDASH) score for function and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score for pain.

Results

Quick DASH scores were 12 \(\pm \) 5 and 13 \(\pm \) 4 at Groups 1 and 2, respectively, without any statistically significant difference. VAS pain scores were 15 \(\pm \) 2 for both groups. VAS function scores were 85 \(\pm \) 22 and 86 \(\pm \) 18 at Groups 1 and 2 respectively. Sick leave periods in terms of weeks were 7 \(\pm \) 5 and 7 \(\pm \) 4 at Groups 1 and 2, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in outcome of the two groups compared in terms of VAS pain, function scores, failure (re-operation) rates and sick leave period at the end of final follow-up.

Conclusion

Both arthroscopic LCR alone and Arthroscopic LCR with ECRB debridement for the management of refractory LE provide significant improvement in pain and function. Isolated Arthroscopic LCR could be a sufficient surgical treatment for refractory LE. Thus, ECRB debridement or release may not be necessary in every case.

Level of evidence

IV.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Acibadem MAA University, Acibadem Altunizade Hospital, Yurtcan sok. No:1, 34662, Uskudar, Istanbul, Turkey

    Ahmet Emre Paksoy, Cemre Ayhan & Baris Kocaoglu

  2. The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital - NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK

    Lior Laver

  3. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Acibadem Altunizade Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

    Okan Tok

Authors
  1. Ahmet Emre Paksoy
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  2. Lior Laver
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  3. Okan Tok
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  4. Cemre Ayhan
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  5. Baris Kocaoglu
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Correspondence to Baris Kocaoglu.

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Paksoy, A.E., Laver, L., Tok, O. et al. Arthroscopic lateral capsule resection is enough for the management of lateral epicondylitis. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 29, 2000–2005 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-020-06255-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-020-06255-3

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