Common Extensor Fasciotomy and Radial Nerve Decompression on Recurrent Lateral Epicondylitis

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate the results after a combined surgical treatment of common extensor Fasciotomy & Radial nerve decompression in recurrent lateral epicondylitis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the functional records of 6 cases of patients who were treated surgically from the February 2004 to June 2008. 2 cases had Radial tunnel syndrome, and The average duration from the time of diagnosis until operation was 23.5 months (7~38), the patients were given an average of 5.7 local steroid injections each, and they were followed up postoperatively for at least 1 year. We performed combined surgical treatment of common extensor Fasciotomy & Radial nerve decompression. The patients' pain intensity was evaluated by VAS score system before the operation, 6 months and 12 months after the operation. The objective assessment of the surgery was investigated according to the criteria by Roles and Maudsley. RESULTS: The grasping power of the lesion site was 11.7 before surgical treatment, 18.6 and 28.3 after 6 months and 12 months. The mean VAS score was 8.2 before surgical treatment, 4.2 and 1.3 after 6 months and 12 months, respectively. The mean Simple Elbow Test Score was 1.8 before operation, 7.0 and 10.3 after 6 and 12 months, respectively. In clinical evaluation by the Roles and Maudsley's Criteria, there were 3cases assessed as excellent and 3 cases assessed as good after 12 months of follow up. No recurrence was noted and all the patients returned to the occupational activity and the average duration was 4.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical treatment using common extensor fasciotomy and radial nerve decompression for recurrent lateral epicondylitis is considered to be one of the recommendable methods.