[Evaluation of late results for surgical treatment of chronic lateral epicondylitis].

The results of surgical treatment of 25 patients with lateral epicondytilis (tennis elbow) were analysed. The mean time before surgery was 2 years and 4 months. The patients' negative attitude towards surgery and the prolonged conservative treatment by general practitioners were the reasons for such a long period of ineffective conservative procedures. Following Hohmann's surgery the flexion in elbow joint and dorsal flexion in radio-carpal joint limitation were the most common residual impairments. The loss of muscle circumference of the operated extremity was observed in 10 (40%) patients. Pain subsided in 20 (80%) and numbness in 11 (44%) patients. Two third of the patients were satisfied with the surgery outcome This moderately good general outcome was probably due to the prolonged time passed since the onset of symptoms and repeated local steroid injections. The majority of manual workers returned to their work.