Abstract

SUAREZ R, FABIO  and  ARROYO S., CARLOS A.. ARTHROSCOPIC TREATMENT OF LATERAL EPICONDYLITIS OF THE ELBOW. rev.fac.med [online]. 2008, vol.16, n.1, pp.33-38. ISSN 0121-5256.

Among the pathologies associated with upper extremity overuse, the incidence of tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis of the elbow has increased to 36%. The conservative management includes eliminating the promoting activity, which has a high index of recurrence and generates alterations of the laboral and socioeconomic activities for the patient. The surgical treatment includes open techniques which are associated with decreased strength, loss of the grip, recurrence, scars, and prolonged disabilities which generate a high cost to the patient and to the health system. The knowledge of the surgical anatomy of the elbow and the improvement of the arthroscopy techniques and instruments have promoted arthroscopy as the treatment of choice for this pathology with positive results in up to 93% of the cases, without complications and with a quick return to the laboral activities. This report is a prospective, descriptive series of 21 patients with this pathology with good outcomes in 96% of the cases.

Keywords : Tennis elbow; arthroscopy; arthroscopes.

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