Purpose: This study describes the pathology of flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) tendinopathy and its treatment.
Methods: Five patients (1 bilateral) who failed nonsurgical management of FCU tendinopathy had FCU tendon debridement. The excised tendon was examined histologically and 4 patients (1 bilateral) were followed-up for at least 12 months.
Results: The pathology was degenerative tendinosis (angiofibroblastic hyperplasia) in all specimens, identical to that observed in tennis elbow and the rotator cuff. Surgical excision of the pathologic degeneration gave excellent pain relief in all cases.
Conclusions: The pathology of FCU tendinopathy (ie, degenerative tendinosis) is similar to that of other extrasynovial tendons. Surgical debridement of the pathologic tendinosis tissue is effective treatment for patients who fail nonsurgical management.