Complications of Lateral Epicondylar Release




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








  • Overall, there is a low complication rate for lateral epicondylar release, but this complication rate may be underreported.



  • Historically, open procedures have had a higher rate and more diverse array of complications.



  • Recent, higher-quality studies have not noted these differences in complications.



  • Elbow posterolateral rotatory instability (PRLI), permanent nerve injury, and deep infection are possible catastrophic complications.



  • Understanding the anatomy is crucial to preventing some complications.


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Oct 6, 2017 | Posted by in ORTHOPEDIC | Comments Off on Complications of Lateral Epicondylar Release

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