AMC Professor In-Ho Jeon “A Rational Treatment Strategy Must Be Developed, Taking into Account the Cause of Injury and Tissue Condition”

▲ Professor In-Ho Jeon from the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Asan Medical Center is treating a patient with tennis elbow.

Repetitive use of the arms and wrists through activities such as tennis, weight training, or tasks like hammering can lead to microtears in the tendons that connect the elbow to the wrist. Over time, this accumulated stress may result in chronic inflammation and tearing, commonly known as ‘tennis elbow.’ If the tendon damage worsens or complications arise during treatment, the ligaments may fail to properly stabilize the elbow joint, resulting in a condition called ‘elbow instability.’

A research team led by Professor In-Ho Jeon from the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Asan Medical Center recently reported that ligament reconstruction using autologous tendon grafts is more effective than traditional ligament repair for treating elbow instability caused by complications from injections, medications, or surgical treatments for tennis elbow.

The team analyzed and compared treatment outcomes of 646 patients who underwent either ligament reconstruction or repair for elbow instability. They found that the complication rate was 6.6% lower and the return-to-activity rate was 2.6% higher in the reconstruction group.

This study is significant as it provides important guideline for patients with elbow instability who were misdiagnosed with simple tennis elbow and underwent prolonged treatment without full recovery, or whose symptoms worsened. It also offers clinical evidence supporting ligament reconstruction as an effective treatment option for elbow instability.

Based on their clinical experience at Asan Medical Center, Professor In-Ho Jeon and his team analyzed research papers comparing treatment outcomes for 445 patients who underwent ligament reconstruction and 201 patients who received ligament repair for elbow instability caused by sequelae or complications of tennis elbow.

The study found that the complication rate for patients who underwent ligament reconstruction was 8.3%, which was 6.6% lower than the 14.9% observed in the ligament repair group. While treating elbow instability, complications such as ulnar nerve-related symptoms, joint stiffness, and surgical site infections can occur. However, the risk of such complications was shown to be lower in the reconstruction group.

In terms of return-to-activity rates, ligament reconstruction demonstrated better treatment outcomes compare to repair group. The reconstruction group had a return-to-activity rate of 96.2%, whereas the repair group had a rate of 93.6%, indicating that patients who underwent reconstruction were able to return to daily life more quickly.

When treating elbow ligament injuries, it is important to choose the appropriate treatment method based on factors such as the timing and cause of the injury, whether it is acute or chronic, and the condition of the tissue. Based on over a decade of experience performing more than 200 elbow ligament surgeries, Professor In-Ho Jeon and his team are committed to helping patients make a healthy return to daily life.

Professor In-Ho Jeon stated, “In cases of acute elbow ligament injury, the tissue is likely to be in good condition, making repair surgery a favorable option. However, for patients with chronic or recurrent symptoms, or those who require treatment for postoperative complications, reconstruction surgery is recommended.”

He also stressed, “If tennis elbow is not properly treated, it can result in sequelae and complications such as ligament tears and joint instability. Therefore, it is crucial to consult a specialist to develop a tailored treatment strategy.”

The results of this study were published in a recent issue of the ‘Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine’, an international academic journal.