Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: Lateral epicondylitis impacts 1-3% of the population. It affects nearly half of all tennis players, primarily due to repetitive forearm muscle use leading to pain at the lateral elbow, particularly at the extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon. While conservative treatments resolve most cases, 4-11% of patients with persistent pain require surgery. Tenotomy is the gold standard for repair, but the research comparing the benefits of specific types of tenotomies (open, arthroscopic, percutaneous, ultrasonically assisted, and Tenex forms) is lacking.

Methods: PubMed and Embase searches were conducted for articles focused on four tenotomy techniques. The inclusion criteria allowed for the use of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), prospective cohort studies, and comparative observational studies, while the exclusion criteria excluded meta-analyses. Following the PRISMA guidelines, the initial search resulted in 2327 articles. Once the inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, 1702 articles underwent abstract screening. Finally, 232 articles proceeded to full-text screening, resulting in 37 articles undergoing data extraction.

Results: The primary outcomes included functional improvement, pain relief, overall performance, and postoperative disability. The secondary outcomes included patient-reported satisfaction, return-to-work timeframes, and procedural complications.

Conclusions: The tenotomy outcomes were similar, regardless of the method, indicating that discussions with patients about their specific outcome preferences may help guide tenotomy method selection.

DOI

10.3390/jcm13226764

Publication Date

11-10-2024

Keywords

DASH questionnaire, MEPS questionnaire, VAS pain scale, lateral epicondylitis, pain relief, return to work, tennis elbow, tenotomy

ISSN

2077-0383

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