This study retrospectively analysed surgical outcomes of consecutive 50 cases to investigate the technical standard and clinical effect of extracapsular arthroscopic treatment for refractory tennis elbow.

To investigate the technical standard of extracapsular arthroscopic treatment for refractory tennis elbow. Consecutive 50 cases of refractory tennis elbow from 50 patients who underwent extracapsular arthroscopic surgery which performed independently by the same doctor from March 2012 to November 2016 was retrospectively analyzed. The key points of technical standard were summarized, including debridement, decortication and microfracture, suture under arthroscopy and postoperative cast fixation. Visual Analogue Scale(VAS), Mayo elbow performance score and Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand outcome measure (DASH) were evaluated for postoperative results. The effects of various technical points were analyzed by rank sum test, independent sample t test, χ2 test and multiple logistic regression.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Diagnosis was refractory tennis elbow;
2. Standard extracapsular method was used for surgery.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patient had past history of joint infection, joint tuberculosis, or osteomyelitis, or the upper limb had undergone surgery within the past 6 months;
2. Diagnosis was combined with severe heart, brain, kidney, or another organ dysfunction;
3. Case was complicated with other serious elbow joint diseases or injuries;
4. Patient did not sign the informed consent form.

The quantitative data of 50 patients (20 men and 30 women) were reviewed. The minimum age was 35 years, and the maximum age was 55 years old, with an average of 44.6 years.