title: Radiofrequency Microtenotomy for Elbow Epicondylitis: Midterm Results.
abstract: We conducted a prospective, nonrandomized, single-center clinical study to evaluate the safety and midterm effectiveness of microtenotomy using a radiofrequency probe to treat chronic tendinosis of the elbow. All patients had failed conservative treatment for 6 months. The radiofrequency-based microtenotomy was performed using the Topaz Microdebrider (ArthroCare). Patients were followed annually for up to 9 years postoperatively. Pain status was documented using a visual analog scale self-reported measure. Eighty consecutive patients with tendinosis of the elbow were enrolled; 69 patients were treated for lateral epicondylitis and 11 for medial epicondylitis. The duration of follow-up ranged from 6 months to 9 years (mean, 2.5 years). Ninety-one percent of the patients reported a successful outcome. Within the lateral epicondylitis group, the preoperative visual analog scale improved from 6.9 to 1.3 postoperatively and demonstrated an 81% improvement (P ≤ .01). For the medial epicondylitis patients, the preoperative visual analog scale improved from 6.1 to 1.3 after surgery, a 79% improvement (P ≤ .01). No complications were reported. Radiofrequency-based microtenotomy is a safe and effective procedure for elbow epicondylitis. The results are durable with successful outcomes observed at 9 years after surgery.
authors.affiliation: San Diego Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center, San Diego, CA; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA. doctas007@aol.com.
authors.forename: James P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Tasto
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Richmond
authors.forename: Jeffrey R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Cummings
authors.forename: Renee
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hardesty
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Amiel
mesh_terms: D017115:Catheter Ablation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000601:surgery*; D013716:Tennis Elbow / Q000601:surgery*; D058971:Tenotomy / Q000379:methods*