Tennis elbow: A clinicopathologic study of 22 cases followed for 2 years

Abstract

Twenty-two elbows in 20 patients with persistent lateral pain due to epicondylitis had release of the common extensor origin and decortication of the lateral epicondyle. Specimens taken from the lateral epicondyle were examined histologically and compared with controls, and patients were reviewed clinically 2 (1/2–4) years after operation. Following surgery, symptoms were improved in 17 patients. Histologic examination of the bone-tendon junction revealed evidence of a repair response of variable degree, the most frequent features being mucopolysaccharide infiltration and bone formation. Fibrofatty degenerative changes were also present in some cases. There was no correlation between the intensity of the histologic reaction and the clinical outcome.