26 patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis were randomized to mini-open release of the extensor carpi radialis brevis or to sham surgery with incision and exposure of the ECRB. Based on the available results, there were no significant differences between the ECRB release group and sham group in patient-reported pain frequency, pain severity, elbow stiffness, functional difficulty, elbow range of motion, grip strength, or wrist extension strength between the 2-week and 2.5-year follow-up. The trial initially planned to randomize a total of 80 patients (40 per group), but a premature termination was performed due to recruitment difficulties and the apparent lack of efficacy of the surgical intervention compared to sham surgery as per the interim analysis.