Treatment of Chronic Lateral Epicondylitis With Autologous Fat Grafting

Despite the self-limiting nature of lateral epicondylitis (LE) the disease has a prolonged course in some patients. Currently there is no optimal treatment of choice for these patients. We treated 6 elbows in 5 patients with LE with free fat grafting. All patients had symptomatic LE (symptom duration >2 y) and magnetic resonance imaging scan consistent with LE, and no finding of osteoarthrosis of the elbow joint, ligament injury, or other condition causing palpable lateral elbow pain. The fat graft was harvested from the abdomen, centrifuged or decanted and 10 mL was injected in and around the lateral epicondyle. All patients recovered without complications. Pain in visual analogue scale decreased in 5 of the 6 elbows (83%). The routine follow-up was 3 months. Regarding the final results 3 patients were satisfied, 1 was uncertain and 1 was dissatisfied and underwent open surgery 10 months after the fat transfer. Lipomatosis was still visible in the lateral epicondyle. Free adipose transfer is an option in the treatment of LE. Patients undergoing the procedure will have a small bump in the lateral elbow. Level of Evidence: Level IV.