Background: Pain from the lateral aspect of the elbow was first described in 1873, and has since then been given different names such as tennis elbow (TE), lateral epicondylitis, epicondylosis, epicondylalgia and lateral elbow pain. The most frequently used term is probably TE, implying a relationship with repetitive mechanical load while using a forceful grip, as in playing tennis. Lateral epicondylitis is an inflammatory condition that occurs at the origin of the common extensor tendon of forearm over the lateral epicondyle. It is the commonest chronic disabling painful condition of the elbow. It causes symptoms in 1% to 3% of the general population. It is common in people whose occupation requires frequent rotatory motion of the forearm like carpenter, gardener, computer workers and knitting workers. The age of onset of lateral epicondylitis is between 35 and 50 years with an equal male to female sex ratio. The dominant upper limb is most commonly affected. Aim: To study the correlation between NRS, DASH and Oxford scores after percutaneous tenotomy in patients with chronic tennis elbow. Methodology: A hospital-based prospective study conducted at department of Orthopaedics, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Kangra at Tanda, HP, India for a duration of 1 year (2019-20). All patients of tennis elbow (>6 months duration) consenting to be part of the study during the study duration were enrolled in the study. Results: In our study, there were a total of 47 patients, with history of chronic tennis elbow for more than 6 months duration, enrolled for the study with lost to follow up of 2 patients at 6th month onwards. There were 24 males and 23 females. Patients' age ranged from 29-65 years with mean age of 47±9.8 years. 33 patients had tennis elbow of right side while 10 had problem on left side. 4 patients presented with difficulty on both sides. As per NRS score, at 9th month, there were 15 patients with excellent score, 24 with good and 4 with fair score. 2 patients had poor outcome after 9th month. As per DASH score after 9 months, 15 patients had excellent outcome and 24 had good outcome. Fair outcome was observed in 4 patients and poor in 2 patients. Conclusion: Many treatment modalities are available to address this subgroup patients with tennis elbow, Percutaneous Tenotomy has proven to be a reliable treatment method which has given sustained and improved outcomes without requirement of any additional modality of treatment /medication option.
Shekhar et al. (Sun,) studied this question.