Surgery does not improve any patient with a tennis elbow

Doctors are studying the effects of operations on people with tennis elbow
The term tennis elbow (or tennis elbow) refers to a painful disease of the tendon tissue at the elbow. Researchers have now discovered that surgical methods of treating this disease do not provide additional benefit to patients.

The scientists of the Orthopedic Research Institute in Sydney found in an investigation that surgical procedures in a so-called tennis elbow are usually without the desired effect. The physicians released the results of their study at the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine's (AOSSM) Specialty Day in San Diego.

Many people in Germany suffer from a so-called tennis elbow. Physicians were trying to find out if surgery really leads to more effective treatment of the disease compared to placebo therapy. (Picture: Picture-Factory / fotolia.com)

Researchers operate on 26 subjects and investigate the effects
The current randomized study examined patients' response to surgery to treat so-called tennis elbow bows compared to the results of placebo treatment. The study analyzed 13 patients who underwent surgery to remove a degenerated part of their so-called Extensor capri radialis brevis (ECRB), the experts explain. For comparison, an incision was made over the lateral elbow of 13 subjects, but no further repair of the ECRB was performed.

All participants suffered for at least six months under a tennis elbow
The participating subjects had been suffering from the symptoms of a tennis elbow for more than six months. In addition, the participants had tried at least two non-surgical treatment approaches such as physiotherapy, massage, acupuncture or splinting in this period, explain the doctors.

Placebo treatment shows the same results
The data obtained during the study show that both groups experienced a significant improvement in pain management over a 26 week period after surgery. For example, it also included the frequency of pain associated with activity, says author Martin Kroslak of the Orthopedic Research Institute in Sydney. In addition, these results were consistent or even improved within the next one to four years of follow-up. There was no significant difference at any study time point between the two groups of subjects, the expert adds.

Subjects had to complete questionnaires about their health problems
Subjects in the study were asked to complete questionnaires related to symptoms including pain frequency and severity of activity and resting state. The pain frequency during sleep and difficulties in picking up objects or pain during rotary movements were particularly interesting, explain the scientists.

What treatment did participants receive after their operation??
Both groups were treated with the same rehab within two weeks of surgery, including ice cream, stretching, and a rehabilitation program to strengthen, explain the physicians.

Effective treatment of a tennis elbow is a big challenge
The treatment of so-called chronic tennis elbow is a big challenge, explains author Kroslak. Our research highlights the challenges of establishing a treatment plan for these patients and continuing to work on the development of surgical and non-surgical approaches, adds the physician. (As)