title: EVALUATION OF THE RESULTS FROM ARTHROSCOPIC TREATMENT OF THE LATERAL EPICONDYLITIS.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the results from patients with lateral epicondylitis following surgical treatment using the arthroscopy technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients underwent surgery using the arthroscopic technique. Their ages ranged from 19 to 54 years (average of 41 years and eight months). Twelve (60%) of them were female and eight (40%) were male. The minimum follow-up period was 12 months and the maximum was 48 months, with an average of 20 months. All the cases were refractory to conservative treatment (rest and physiotherapy), with previous clinical treatment times ranging in duration from six to 136 months. To evaluate the results, we used the criteria of the American Medical Association (AMA), as modified by Bruce.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We obtained 13 excellent results (65%) and seven moderate results (13%), with just one complication (reflex sympathetic dystrophy). This was the only patient who reported dissatisfaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surgical treatment of the lateral epicondylitis of the elbow using arthroscopy was a good option for 65% of the cases.
authors.affiliation: PhD. Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de Sao Paulo; Head of the Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group.
authors.forename: Alberto Naoki
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Miyazaki
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de Sao Paulo; Attending Physician in the Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group.
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fregoneze
authors.affiliation: Attending Physician in the Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group.
authors.forename: Pedro Doneux
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: Attending Physician in the Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group.
authors.forename: Luciana Andrade
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.affiliation: Trainee Physician in the Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group.
authors.forename: Davi Calixto
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Pires
authors.affiliation: Trainee Physician in the Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group.
authors.forename: Jose da Mota
authors.initials: Jda M
authors.lastname: Neto
authors.affiliation: Trainee Physician in the Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group.
authors.forename: Luis Henrique
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Rossato
authors.affiliation: PhD. Adjunct Professor and Head of Clinical Medicine of the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de Sao Paulo; Academic Consultant in the Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group.
authors.forename: Sergio Luis
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Checchia
keywords: Arthroscopy; Outcome assessment (Health Care); Tennis elbow