Comparing Arthroscopic Tennis Elbow Release With Arthroscopic Debridement
Comparing Arthroscopic Tennis Elbow Release With Arthroscopic Debridement
We propose a randomized, double-blind controlled trial comparing arthroscopic release with
 arthroscopic debridement for the management of chronic tennis elbow in an effort to
 definitively determine whether arthroscopic tennis elbow release is an effective treatment of
 tennis elbow, and to further provide better recommendations for the use of this procedure, in
 an effort to improve patient care.
Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is a common occurrence in the general population with an
 incidence of 4-7/1000/year. More recent literature describes a 1-3% rate over the course of a
 lifetime, most typically affecting individuals between the ages of 35 and 50.

 Tennis elbow is a common occurrence in the general population that causes lateral elbow pain
 and diminished grip strength, which may be debilitating. Most affected individuals achieve
 symptom resolution within 6 months to 1 year with measures such as physiotherapy,
 anti-inflammatories and corticosteroid injections, but a small subset will go on to develop
 chronic symptoms. Chronic tennis elbow can be treated surgically, by arthroscopic tennis
 elbow release (ATER), which has gained popularity in recent years as it presents a less
 invasive option, allows for direct visualization of the elbow joint for other pathology and
 has a faster return-to-work time compared to other surgical procedures. Despite its promise
 there have been no high quality studies evaluating the efficacy of arthroscopic tennis elbow
 release, bringing the actual efficacy of this procedure into question. A randomized
 controlled trial on arthroscopic tennis elbow release would provide much needed evidence in
 order to define its role in the management of tennis elbow and to help refine treatment
 protocols.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Patients eligible for inclusion in the study will have had symptoms for at least 9
 months and have failed conservative management.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Significant prior elbow trauma will be excluded alternative diagnoses that better
 explain their symptoms

 -  Patients who have had significant prior elbow trauma or surgery

 -  WSIB patients