PURPOSE: To compare the outcome of 2 arthroscopic techniques for treating recalcitrant @entity2633 . METHODS: The study included @entity1 undergoing arthroscopic treatment of @entity2633 during 2 different time periods: April 2005 to October 2007 (tenotomy) and May 2009 to June 2010 (debridement). By using a @entity1 -administered form, baseline information including QuickDASH (disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand) score (primary outcome), visual analog scale (VAS) of @entity158 , and VAS of function was recorded prospectively. To have the same follow-up period of minimum 4 years in the 2 groups, the follow-up was conducted at 2 different points of time. RESULTS: Of a total of 326 @entity1 fulfilling the requirements for inclusion in the study, 283 @entity1 (87%) were followed up (144 male and 139 female, median age 46 [21 to 65] years), 204 (87%) in the tenotomy group and 79 (88%) in the debridement group. In both groups, a significant improvement in the QuickDASH was found at the follow-up compared with baseline: from 60 to 12 in the debridement group (P < .001) and from 59 to 13 in the tenotomy group (P < .001). No statistically significant difference was found in baseline or follow-up QuickDASH, VAS of @entity158 , VAS of function, or failure (reoperation) rate between the 2 groups. The mean length of sick leave was 2 weeks shorter in the debridement only group (P  = .007). CONCLUSIONS: Both arthroscopic methods lead to a significant improvement of @entity158 and function, and no statistically significant difference was found in any outcome parameters between the 2 techniques at this minimum 4-year evaluation. The results indicate that tenotomy of the extensor carpi radialis brevis may be an unnecessary step in the arthroscopic treatment of @entity2633 Debridement only is a potentially less costly procedure, and the current finding of a mean 2 weeks shorter sick leave in the debridement only group proposes a substantial cost saving in a societal perspective. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Arthroscopic Treatment of XXXX : Tenotomy Versus Debridement.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'patient'] @entity2633 :: ('MESH:D013716', 'Disease') :: ['lateral epicondylitis'] @entity158 :: ('MESH:D010146', 'Disease') :: ['pain']
@entity2633 :: (MESH:D013716,Disease) :: ['Lateral Epicondylitis']
