Objectives: The aim of this study was to report the early results of patients who underwent surgical treatment with suture anchor tendon repair combined with the bone drilling technique for a diagnosis of recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was made of 11 patients (2 males, 9 females; mean age: 38.3 years) who underwent surgery with suture anchor tendon repair and the bone drilling technique for a diagnosis of recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis between September 2019 and January 2022. The demographic data of the patients, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire score, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) value, joint Range of Motion (ROM) values, and the wrist extension, pinch and grip muscle strength measurements at the final follow-up examination were recorded.
Results: The mean follow-up period was 18 months (range, 12-26 months), and the time to return to pre-injury activity in 10 patients was determined to be mean 7.3 months (range, 6-9 months). No significant loss of ROM was observed in any patient. The postoperative DASH score was calculated as mean 8.3 (range, 0 -43.5). A decrease of 84% was determined in the VAS scores postoperatively. Wrist extension strength was evaluated as grade 5 in 10 patients and grade 4 in one. The mean pinch strength was +102% of the non-operated extremity, and the mean grip strength was +101% of the non-operated extremity.
Conclusion: The suture anchor tendon repair combined with the bone drilling technique can be an effective method in the surgical treatment of recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis, providing an early return to pre-injury activity, pain reduction and maintaining muscle strength
Key words: Recalcitrant, Chronic, Lateral Epicondylitis, Suture Anchor, Drilling
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