Extra-articular arthroscopic lateral elbow release.

We describe a unique extra-articular approach for arthroscopic lateral release for lateral epicondylitis. An arthroscopic extra-articular approach allows better direct visualization of diseased structures with a 30° arthroscope and only requires a small hole in the joint capsule. The camera is placed into the joint through the middle anterolateral portal. The camera is then pulled back through a small rent in the capsule over the lateral radiocapitellar joint to provide an extra-articular view of the diseased structures. The shaver is then placed 1.5 cm proximal to the camera in a proximal anterolateral portal. Debridement of the common extensor fiber tendinosis and decortication of the lateral epicondyle are performed under direct visualization. This is different from the intra-articular technique, where visualization with the 30° arthroscope is more difficult despite a large capsulotomy to aid visualization. The advantage of this extra-articular technique is 2-fold. First, the extra-articular viewing portal allows direct visualization of diseased structures, improving accuracy for debridement compared with an intra-articular viewing portal. The intra-articular technique uses the 30° arthroscope to work around a corner after a large capsulectomy. The second advantage of the extra-articular viewing portal is that it only requires a small capsulotomy. The small capsulotomy decreases the risk of transient radial nerve palsy associated with a capsulectomy. The small capsulotomy also results in less fluid extravasation into the soft tissues. Less fluid extravasation decreases swelling and the risk of compartment syndrome.