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Tennis Elbow: Complications of Surgical Treatment and Salvage Procedures for Failed Surgery

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Tennis Elbow

Abstract

Lateral epicondylitis (i.e., tennis elbow) is the most common complaint of the elbow seen in adults, affecting approximately 3 % of people over the age of 40. While different etiologies can contribute to lateral elbow pain, the diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis denotes pathology within the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) tendon origin and, in approximately one-third of cases, the anterior margin of the extensor digitorum communis tendon origin as well. Histological features reveal predominantly hyaline degeneration and neovascularization, compatible with an aborted effort at healing rather than an inflammatory response. Whereas nonoperative modalities remain the mainstay of treatment, with advents in technology and surgical techniques, the number of surgical interventions is increasing. Unfortunately, and common to all surgical procedures, there are associated complications and modes of failure.

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Abbreviations

ECRB:

Extensor carpi radialis brevis

OCD:

Osteochondritis dissecans

PIN:

Posterior interosseus nerve

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Correspondence to David M. Kalainov MD .

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Kalawadia, J., Kalainov, D. (2015). Tennis Elbow: Complications of Surgical Treatment and Salvage Procedures for Failed Surgery. In: Wolf, J. (eds) Tennis Elbow. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-7534-8_15

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