Arthroscopic release for Lateral Epicondylitis leads to quicker return to work: study

Lateral epicondylitis, or “tennis elbow,” is a common musculoskeletal disorder characterized by pain and tenderness over the lateral epicondyle, frequently exacerbated by resisted wrist extension. The majority of cases respond to conservative measures.

Among various surgical options, open lateral release remains widely practiced and has demonstrated long-term efficacy. More recently, arthroscopic lateral release has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative, offering theoretical benefits such as smaller incisions, reduced soft tissue disruption, enhanced intra-articular visualization, and potentially faster recovery.

The optimal surgical treatment for lateral epicondylitis remains debated, while arthroscopic lateral release offers theoretical benefits over the traditional open approach.

Patarapon Inthawong et al conducted a study to compare arthroscopic versus open technique in early and long-term outcomes. In this study, 45 patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis underwent arthroscopic (n = 23) and open lateral release (n = 22). The primary outcome was the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) score. Secondary outcomes included the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (qDASH) score, time to return to work, operative time, scar satisfaction, and complications from postoperative day 1 through 12 months.

The key findings of the study were:

• Both surgical techniques significantly improved pain and function without complications at 12 months. However, the arthroscopic group demonstrated superior early outcomes.

• At 1 month, PRTEE scores were significantly lower in the arthroscopic group (mean 0.47 ± 0.10 vs. 0.75 ± 0.10; P < 0.05).

• VAS score was markedly reduced from day 1 through 1 month (P < 0.05), with a mean day 1 difference of −2.7 (95% CI −2.90 to −2.03).

• qDASH scores also favored arthroscopy at week 1 (mean 13.2 vs. 21.3; P < 0.05), returned to full-duty work significantly earlier (mean 2.3 vs. 12.9 weeks; P < 0.05), and reported higher scar satisfaction (mean 5.0 vs. 4.63; P < 0.05).

• The open technique had significantly shorter operative time (30.5 vs. 40.6 min.; P < 0.05).

The authors concluded – “Both surgical techniques are effective and safe. The arthroscopic approach had significant early advantages, including reduced pain, quicker return to work, and superior cosmetic satisfaction. These findings support arthroscopic release as a preferred option for patients prioritizing early recovery and minimal invasiveness.”

Level of Evidence Level I.

For further details on the article refer to:

Comparative Efficacy of Arthroscopic and Open Lateral Release for Lateral Epicondylitis: A Randomized Trial Assessing Pain, Function, and Recovery

Patarapon Inthawong et al

Indian Journal of Orthopaedics (2026) 60:244–251

https://doi.org/10.1007/s43465-025-01564-6