The term “lateral approach” to the elbow refers to the deep course of dissection and exposure and is independent of the skin incision chosen. Advantages include simplicity of exposure with no requirement for dissection of important neurovascular structures. The lateral approach offers flexibility in exposure with the ability to extend a limited approach into a widely extensile exposure when needed. Indications include fractures of the radial head, capitellum, and intra-articular distal humerus; lateral tennis elbow debridement; repair or reconstruction for posterolateral rotatory instability; release of elbow contracture or debridement of primary or post-traumatic arthritis; radial head resection or replacement; and replacement or resurfacing arthroplasty.
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