OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical effects of modified Nirschl surgical techniique in treating refractory lateral epicondylitis.

METHODSFrom March 2009 to January 2011,21 patients (21 elbows) with refractory lateral epicondylitis were treated in our hospital. There were 8 males and 13 females,ranged in age from 25 to 59 years with an average of (48.3+/-13.4) years and the duration time from 8 to 33 months with an average of (17.1+/-7.7) months;affected position in dominant sides of 16 cases and non-dominant sides of 5 cases. The patients had already received multiple non-operative treatments. Modified Nirschl surgical technique was performed,and operative origination from origin of musculus extensor carpi radialis brevis to discard process with small incision, the process place of extensor digitorum communis would be removed. The incisions were nursed by ice compress for 2 days after operation. Range of motion (ROM) and strengthening exercise of elbow joints started at the 1 week after plaster slab fixation; ROM and strengthening exercise of wrist joints also started at the 2 week after fixation. The pain, power of gripping and patient staisfaction were recorded after operation. Verhaar scaling were used to estimate the recovery.

RESULTSSeventeen patients were followed up from 13 to 22 months with an average of 16.3 months. According to Verhaar standard, 15 cases obtained excellent results and 2 good. No postoperative complication such as instability was found.

CONCLUSIONModified Nirschl surgical technique is an effective method in treating refractory lateral epicondylitis but correct to diagnosis and exclusion the coexisting diseases,accurate removal the process are important guarantee.