Surgery
Surgery for extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) tendonitis is considered when conservative treatments such as physical therapy, NSAIDs, PRP therapy, and ESWT fail to provide relief.
Surgical options focus on stabilizing the ECU tendon and preventing subluxation. ECU subsheath repair or reconstruction is commonly performed to restore tendon stability, often using an extensor retinacular sling. Ulnar groove deepening can improve tendon accommodation but is less effective than subsheath reconstruction. The extensor retinaculum flap procedure offers good stabilization, though some postoperative displacement may occur. Anatomic reconstruction of the ECU tendon sheath, involving groove deepening and suture anchor fixation, has shown improvements in wrist motion, grip strength, and patient satisfaction.
The choice of procedure depends on the severity of tendon instability and response to prior treatments.
Treatment Type: Procedural
Treatment Class: N/A
Treatment Modality: N/A
Review Summary
Breakdown by Category
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