Extra-articular arthroscopic release of lateral epicondylitis: a prospective study

BACKGROUND: Operative management of lateral epicondylitis can be managed with percutaneous, arthroscopic, or open surgical release. Extraarticular arthroscopic release is a new technique, and no study has compared its outcomes and risk profile. METHODS: A 26-patient cohort was reviewed before and after extraarticular arthroscopic release, which was performed by the senior author. The Mayo Elbow Performance Scores were used as a functional outcome score and obtained via a phone interview. Results were analyzed using a paired t-test with a statistical significance set at P < .05. RESULTS: Of the 26 patients, 10 were being treated under workers compensation. Preoperative Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 47.5, and the postoperative score was 90.2 with a significant difference of 42.7 (P value = .05). The workers compensation group scored 13.3 points lower postoperatively than the remainder of patients, which was shown to also be significant with a P value of .002. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The advantage of extraarticular arthroscopic release was better visualization of affected structures, which improved accuracy of debridement, and a small capsulotomy, which decreased the risk of a transient radial nerve palsy. Overall, extraarticular arthroscopic results were found to be good and comparable to the results of other operative techniques with the added advantage of a lower risk profile.