Compare the options

This table compares the different treatment options. 

  Nonsurgical Surgery
  OEE goes away on its own. The evidence is compelling that OEE is a benign self-limiting disease. Surgery is never necessary to recover.
What is usually involved?

Patience

Adapting to (working with) the discomfort

The pain does not indicate damage

It's safe to use the arm for all activities

+/- Simple stretching and strengthening exercises

+/- Splinting

+/- Ice or heat

+/- Acetaminophen or aspirin-type medication

Removing a small piece of the ECRB attachment site. Your arm will be sore while the cut heals, but it is safe to use the arm.

What are the risks?

1 person out of every 100 people that use an aspirin-like gel gets a skin rash due to the gel.

20 out of every 100 people (20%) get an upset stomach if they take the aspirin-like medication in tablet form.

Less than 1 out of every 1000 people will not be able to fully extend their arm after surgery.

Bleeding and infection happen to less than 1 in 500 people.

What are the results?

No matter the treatment, 93 out of every 100 people recover within 6 to 12 months of seeing a doctor.

Wearing a brace, stretching, adjusting your activity level, or taking medication will not make you recover faster. They are for comfort only. It is safe to keep active.

75 out of a 100 people feel better after surgery, but most are not completely pain free.

The results are worse in patients using worker’s insurance.

A small study comparing surgery to simulated surgery could not demonstrate a benefit.

Advantages

It will go away on its own.

No harms and complications associated with surgery.

It is hoped that you might get better faster, but there is no evidence that this is the case.

Disadvantages

None

Harms and complications associated with surgery.

Disappointment if the surgery doesn't fix the problem.