Tennis elbow: treatment of resistant cases by denervation.

Anatomical and clinical research has shown that the entire lateral epicondylar region is innervated only by radial nerve branches. Based on these investigations we have developed a surgical procedure for complete denervation which is indicated only in resistant cases of tennis elbow. Only one nerve pathway calls for careful exposure, otherwise denervation is accomplished blindly by disinsertion of certain muscles. The result of this procedure also depends on simultaneous indirect decompression of the posterior interosseous nerve. Excellent or good results were obtained in 90% on average. Results of denervation did not improve by additional direct radial nerve release.