Abstract
Background
Since its first description, the pathology, natural history and treatment of lateral epicondylitis have remained controversial. For those who fail conservative management, surgery remains an option. The optimal method of surgery remains debatable and is further confounded by a relative lack of long-term follow up studies.
Material and methods
This study describes a previously unpublished surgical technique and presents its long term results. Patients undergoing this open technique were reviewed using the HSS-1 and Mayo elbow performance assessment tools as well as having grip strength and subjective outcome recorded.
Results
From June 1986 to December 2001 inclusive, 158 consecutive patients (171 elbows) underwent surgery in a single surgeon series. They were followed up to a mean of 9.8 years. The mean age of the group was 42 years and 86.7% of patients were available for follow up. Subjectively, 94.6 % were good to excellent with 92.6-94.0% good to excellent using the HSS-1 and Mayo scores respectively. No differences were noted in grip strength. No patient required revision surgery.
Discussion/Conclusions
This repeatable open technique offers excellent results with low complications at a mean follow up of 9.8 years. These results compare favourably in terms of numbers followed up, length of follow up and outcome and offer strong evidence of its efficacy.
