Extensor tendon and fascia sectioning of extensors at the musculotendinous unit in lateral epicondylitis

Different surgical techniques exist to treat lateral epicondylitis. In most techniques, release of the common extensor origin is performed adjacent to the humeral epicondyle. The purpose of the present study was to assess the outcome of transverse sectioning of the intermuscular septum and the aponeuroses of the extensor carpi radialis brevis and extensor digitorum communis, 3 to 5 cm distally to the radial epicondyle. Forty-nine elbows were operated on in 44 patients. Subjective results were obtained after a mean followup of 33 months. Mean age of patients was 44 years. Mean disabilities of arm, shoulder and hand score was 6, mean visual analogue scale score for pain was 1 and for satisfaction 9. The result was excellent in 26, good in 15 and poor in 8 elbows following Spencer and Herndon. Mean absence from work was 40 days. We conclude that tendon release in the musculotendinous unit can be used to treat lateral epicondylitis.