Mini-open muscle resection procedure under local anesthesia for lateral and medial epicondylitis.
BACKGROUND
This study examined the clinical results of surgical treatment using a mini-open muscle resection procedure under local anesthesia for intractable lateral or medial epicondylitis.


METHODS
Forty two elbows (41 patients) were treated surgically for lateral or medial epicondylitis. The indication for surgery was refractory pain after six months of conservative treatment, or a history of more than three local injections of steroid, or severe functional impairment in the occupational activities. The treatment results were assessed in terms of the pain using the visual analogue scale (VAS), Roles & Maudsley score, and Nirschl & Pettrone grade.


RESULTS
The preoperative VAS scores of pain were an average of 5.36 at rest, 6.44 at daily activities, and 8.2 at sports or occupational activities. After surgery, the VAS scores improved significantly (p < 0.01): 0.3 at rest, 1.46 at daily activities, and 2.21 at sports or occupational activities. The preoperative Roles & Maudsley score was acceptable in 6 cases, and poor in 36 cases, which was changed to excellent in 23 cases, good in 16 cases, acceptable in 3 cases after surgery. According to the grading system by Nirschl & Pettrone, 23 cases were excellent, 18 cases were good, and the remaining 1 case was fair. Overall, 41 cases (97.6%) achieved satisfactory results. Postoperative complications were encountered in three cases. Subcutaneous seroma due to the leakage of joint fluid in two patients was managed by additional surgery and suction drainage, and resulted in a satisfactory outcome. One patient complained of continuous pain on occupational activity, but her pain at rest was improved greatly.


CONCLUSIONS
The mini-open muscle resection procedure under local anesthesia appears to be one of effective methods for intractable lateral or medial epicondylitis.
Cho
Byung-Ki
BK
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Korea.
Kim
Yong-Min
YM
Kim
Dong-Soo
DS
Choi
Eui-Sung
ES
Shon
Hyun-Chul
HC
Park
Kyoung-Jin
KJ
Lee
Eun-Myung
EM
D000328:Adult; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000601:surgery*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D013716:Tennis Elbow / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome