title: Arthroscopic treatment of lateral epicondylitis: comparison of the outcome of ECRB release with and without decortication.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to compare the early clinical results of arthroscopic extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) release with and without bone decortication in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-eight patients who were surgically treated for lateral epicondylitis between 2004 and 2008 were included in this retrospective review. Among these 38 patients, 19 underwent arthroscopic ECRB release and 19 patients underwent both ECRB release with decortication of the lateral epicondyle. Outcome measures included pain assessment measured by visual analog scale (VAS) preoperatively, on postoperative day one, at two and 4 weeks postoperatively, and at the final follow-up visit. Functional evaluation was made with the Mayo Elbow Performance Index and grip strength measurement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients who underwent simple ECRB release had significantly less pain than patients who underwent ECRB release and decortication immediately postoperatively (p < 0.05). This group also showed a lower VAS score on exertion 2 weeks and 4 weeks after simple ECRB release (p < 0.05). The mean time taken to return to work was 24.2 ± 18.3 days in the group that underwent simple ECRB release and 39 ± 22.7 days in the group that underwent ECRB release with decortication (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Arthroscopic release of the ECRB is an effective method of treatment in patients with recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis. Decortication of the lateral epicondyle leads to increased pain postoperatively and did not improve clinical results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Wonkwang University Hospital, 344-2 Shinyong-dong, Iksan, Chunbuk, Korea. serina@wonkwang.ac.kr
authors.forename: Jeong Woo
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Churl Hong
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chun
authors.forename: Dae Moo
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Shim
authors.forename: Tae Kyun
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seok Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kweon
authors.forename: Hong Je
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Kyu Hwan
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Bae
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013716:Tennis Elbow / Q000601:surgery*; D058971:Tenotomy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome