Percutaneous tennis elbow release under local anaesthesia

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Minimally Invasive Procedures

Background:

• Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) often requires surgical intervention when non-operative treatments like steroid injections prove ineffective.
• Percutaneous release of the common extensor origin is a less commonly adopted surgical technique for tennis elbow.
• This study evaluates the long-term outcomes of percutaneous release for refractory tennis elbow.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the long-term efficacy and safety of percutaneous release of the common extensor origin for tennis elbow.
• To determine patient-reported outcomes using validated scoring systems after the procedure.
• To evaluate the viability of this technique as an alternative to more invasive surgeries.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 24 patients (30 elbows) underwent percutaneous release under local anesthesia.
• Procedures were performed by a senior surgeon, with patients assessed using DASH and Oxford elbow scores.
• Mean follow-up was 36 months, with outcomes evaluated based on pain relief and functional scores.

Main Results:

• 87% of patients reported complete pain relief following the procedure.
• Mean post-operative DASH score was 8.47 and mean Oxford elbow score was 42.8.
• No complications were reported, and patients successfully returned to daily activities and hobbies.

Conclusions:

• Percutaneous release of epicondylar muscles for humeral epicondylitis demonstrates a high success rate.
• The procedure is simple, performed as a day case, and associated with no complications.
• Percutaneous release is a viable and effective treatment option for tennis elbow refractory to conservative management.