Debridement of extensors and drilling of the lateral epicondyle for tennis elbow: a retrospective follow-up study.

Twenty-one patients treated for tennis elbow with debridement of the extensors, without repair of the affected tendons, and with decortication by drilling of the lateral epicondyle were reviewed retrospectively after a mean follow-up of 15 months (range, 11-33 months). The early postoperative period was characterized by a painful and slow recovery. At latest follow-up, 17 patients (81%) had a satisfactory outcome with no or only mild pain. Of the patients, 20 (95%) felt that they were better or much better compared with preoperatively. There were 2 complications: 1 hematoma that was aspirated and 1 temporary frozen shoulder. Debridement of the extensors and drilling of the lateral epicondyle relieved pain and restored function in the majority of the patients. However, recovery was slow and was never found to be immediate as described in other series of tennis elbow procedures where the extensors were simply released and the lateral epicondyle was not decorticated.