Three or more preoperative injections is the most significant risk factor for revision surgery after operative treatment of lateral epicondylitis: an analysis of 3863 patients.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to identify the rate of failure of operative treatment of lateral epicondylitis, defined as progression to ipsilateral revision surgery, and associated patient-specific risk factors for failure.

METHODS: A national database was used to identify patients undergoing surgical treatment of lateral epicondylitis from 2005 to 2012. Patients undergoing concomitant procedures were excluded. Patients who then required subsequent ipsilateral extensor carpi radialis brevis débridement or release within 2 years were identified using similar methods. A multivariate binomial logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate patient-related risk factors for revision surgery. In addition, the number of preoperative injections (1, 2, or ≥3) in the ipsilateral elbow was identified and included in the regression analysis. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for each risk factor.

RESULTS: Of 3863 patients who underwent operative treatment of lateral epicondylitis, 58 (1.5%) required ipsilateral revision surgery. Risk factors for revision surgery included age <65 years (OR, 2.95; P = .003), male gender (OR, 1.53; P = .017), morbid obesity (OR, 2.13; P = .002), tobacco use (OR, 1.87; P < .001), and inflammatory arthritis (OR, 1.79; P = .009). Having ≥3 ipsilateral preoperative injections was the most significant risk factor (OR, 3.55; P < .001), whereas having 2 (OR, 1.44; P = .135) or 1 (OR, 1.15; P = .495) was not significant.

CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of failure requiring revision surgery for lateral epicondylitis in the studied population is low (1.5%). Risk factors for revision surgery include younger age, male gender, morbid obesity, tobacco use, and inflammatory arthritis. The most significant risk factor for revision surgery is having ≥3 ipsilateral preoperative injections.