Reported complication rates are low for lateral epicondylitis management, but the anatomic complexity of the elbow allows for possible catastrophic complication. This review documents complications associated with lateral epicondylar release: 67 studies reporting outcomes of lateral epicondylar release with open, percutaneous, or arthroscopic methods were reviewed and 6 case reports on specific complications associated with the procedure are included. Overall complication rate was 3.3%. For open procedures it was 4.3%, percutaneous procedures 1.9%, and arthroscopic procedures 1.1%. In higher-level studies directly comparing modalities, the complication rates were 1.3%, 0%, and 1.2%, respectively.
Key points
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Overall, there is a low complication rate for lateral epicondylar release, but this complication rate may be underreported.
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Historically, open procedures have had a higher rate and more diverse array of complications.
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Recent, higher-quality studies have not noted these differences in complications.
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Elbow posterolateral rotatory instability (PRLI), permanent nerve injury, and deep infection are possible catastrophic complications.
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Understanding the anatomy is crucial to preventing some complications.
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