Percutaneous extensor tenotomy for chronic tennis elbow using an 18G needle.

INTRODUCTION: Tennis elbow is a common orthopaedic problem presenting in office orthopaedics, but its exact patho-aetiology has not been identified to date. It is treated operatively when conservative measures including multiple local steroid injections are not helpful to the patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This was a retrospective study to assess the outcome of tennis elbow patients on whom percutaneous release of the common extensor origin was performed using an 18 gauge hypodermic needle. 17 patients with 21 elbows were included in the study. Data was collected by going through the patients' medical records, and follow -up by questionnaire mailed to the patient's home, to assess the outcome and patient satisfaction with the procedure. RESULTS: 14 of the 21 (66.7%) elbows became completely pain free. The time taken to achieve a completely pain free elbow ranged from 1 day to 3 months (average 60.3 days). Those that did not achieve a pain free elbow had a residual pain of 1.5 to 8.5 on the VAS (average 2.64). 9 elbows (42.9%) had an excellent outcome, 7(33.3%) had good, 4(19%) had satisfactory and 1(4.8%) had poor outcomes. CONCLUSION: Tennis elbow probably results from degenerative tear of common extensor origin and a percutaneous tenotomy using an 18 gauge hypodermic needle is a simple, safe, patient friendly, effective and easily reproducible method of treating it in those who require surgery and can be done as an office procedure.

Sub-trochanteric fractures of the femur: results of ORIF at KMCTH.

Sub-trochanteric fractures of the femur are not commonly encountered as compared to trochanteric or neck of femur fractures. Relatively younger persons are injured more and a considerable violence is required for this fracture to occur. These fractures, treated conservatively by methods like traction, splints or casts, are often associated with complications like non-union, mal-union, shortening of the limb etc. Thus, we undertook this study of 10 consecutive cases of sub-trochanteric fractures of the femur treated by open reduction and internal fixation and bone grafting in Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital, Sinamangal, from the year Nov. 2000 to April 2006. There were 4 females and 6 male patients. Their age on average was 46.8 years (range 15 to 86 years). Most of the patients were in Type II or III in Seinsheimer classification; Type II A, B, and C, one, two and one respectively, and in Type III A and B three patients each. Seven patients were treated with dynamic hip screw. Three patients with type III were managed with centro-medullary interlocking nail with one cerclage suture. They were followed for a period of minimum 6 months to 6 years (average 3.5 years). Union was achieved in all, on an average 4 months postoperatively. Results were excellent and complications like nonunion, malunion or breakage of the implants, were not encountered in any patient.