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Background Although most radiologic findings of medial epicondylitis (ME) are normal, up to 25% show calcification, and little is known about the clinical relevance of soft tissue calcification in ME. The purpose of this study was to reveal the characteristics of calcification in ME, and to identify their clinical relevance. Methods This study included 187 patients (222 elbows) who were diagnosed with ME. We classified calcification according to its anatomic location, and further evaluated its distribution. Logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for possible factors that may affect calcification in ME: age, sex, laterality, hand dominance, visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, Mayo elbow performance score, symptom duration, history of steroid injection, number of steroid injections, concomitant ulnar neuropathy, and treatment method in terms of conservative treatment or surgery. Results In a total of 222 elbows, 53% (118 of 222 elbows) showed calcification in radiologic findings. The VAS pain score, number of steroid injections, and concomitant ulnar neuropathy were significantly associated with calcification in ME. Calcification was most commonly identified at the anatomical insertion site of the common flexor tendon (33%), followed by the pronator teres (18%), and the medial collateral ligament (10%). Of the total cases of calcification, 45% were distributed at multiple sites, and age was strongly associated with multiple distribution. Conclusions Calcification in ME was more commonly identified than previously reported and was distributed over a relatively broad area. Calcification was associated with a higher VAS pain score, history of steroid injection, and combined ulnar neuropathy. The anatomical insertion site of the common flexor tendon most commonly showed calcification, and age was a strong indicator of a broad distribution of calcification.

Purpose To determine whether platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection for lateral epicondylitis offers patients comparable outcomes to lateral epicondylar surgery. Methods Embase, Cochrane Library, and MEDLINE databases were searched using the terms lateral epicondylitis, lateral elbow pain, tennis elbow, lateral epicondylalgia, and elbow tendinopathy individually and combined with the terms platelet-rich plasma injections and lateral epicondylar surgery. We compared pain relief, function between the 2 treatment options, and identified whether PRP injection reduced the incidence of lateral epicondylar surgery. Studies must have compared PRP injections with lateral epicondylar surgery for the treatment of lateral epicondylitis; be of Level I, II, or III evidence; and be written in the English language. Results Three studies (1 Level II and 2 Level III) met inclusion criteria. Two of the studies suggested that PRP injections offer similar relief as surgery in the short and mid-term, one study reported that PRP injections and surgery had similar outcomes in pain improvement and return to work, whereas 1 study reported that surgery may be a better long-term solution. Conclusions In comparison with lateral epicondylar surgery, PRP injections offer similar improvements in pain and function for patients suffering from lateral epicondylitis, especially in the short- and mid-term in 2 of the 3 included investigations. Therefore, PRP injections are an appropriate alternative for the treatment of lateral epicondylitis. Level of Evidence Level III, Systematic Review of Level III or greater evidence.

Study Design Meta-analysis. Introduction Lateral elbow tendinopathy is a common condition with an annual incidence of up to 3% of the population. Eccentric strengthening has shown promise as a method to treat lateral elbow tendinopathy, but is unclear if it is superior to other forms of treatment. Purpose of the Study The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of eccentric strengthening compared with other forms of strengthening and pain-relieving modalities on pain, strength, and function in people with lateral elbow tendinopathy. Methods Five electronic databases were searched. Reference lists of selected articles were hand-searched. Outcomes were defined a priori. Meta-analyses were performed using a random effects model with standardized mean differences, test of heterogeneity, and sensitivity analyses. Results Eight articles were included in this review. When comparing eccentric strengthening to other forms of strengthening and pain-relieving modalities, there were significant large effect size of 1.12 (CI: 0.31-1.93) and 1.22 (CI: 0.25-2.18) in reducing pain and improving function in the short-term, respectively. In long-term, results were inconclusive on all outcomes. Discussion A treatment program using eccentric strengthening of adequate intensity and duration seemed to be most effective for treating lateral elbow tendinopathy. Conclusions The state of science of best care for lateral elbow tendinopathy is still in its infancy. Large, high-quality randomized controlled trials with clearly defined strengthening regime are needed to determine optimal dosage to maximize treatment effects. Recommendations were provided based on careful synthesis of findings from this review and current evidence in literature.

BACKGROUND: Tendinopathy is a common cause of elbow pain in the active population. Ultrasound Guided Tenotomy (USGT) is a minimally invasive treatment option for cases recalcitrant to conservative management. Several case studies have shown promising preliminary results of USGT for common extensor tendinopathy and common flexor tendinopathy, but none have included USGT for triceps tendinopathy. This larger retrospective study evaluates the effectiveness and safety of USGT for all elbow tendinopathy sites at short and long-term follow-up. METHODS: Retrospective chart review identified 131 patients [144 procedures] (mean age ± SD, 48.1 ± 9.8 years; mean body mass index ± SD, 32.2 ± 7.7 kg/m(2); 59% male) with elbow tendinopathy (104 common extensor tendinopathy; 19 common flexor tendinopathy; 8 triceps tendinopathy) treated with USGT over a 6-year period by a single physician. Pain and quality of life measures were collected at baseline. Pain, quality of life, satisfaction with outcome, and complications were collected at short-term (2, 6, 12 week) and long-term (median 2.7 years IQR= 2.0 to 4.0 years) follow-up. RESULTS: Overall, USGT for elbow tendinopathy decreased pain from moderate/severe at baseline to mild/occasional at short-term and long-term follow-up (p< 0.01). Quality of life assessments showed significant improvement in physical function at short and long-term follow-up (p< 0.01). The majority (70%) of patients were satisfied with the procedure. There was a 0% complication rate. CONCLUSION: Benefits of USGT include pain relief, improved physical function, and high patient satisfaction. USGT is a safe minimally invasive treatment for refractory elbow tendinopathy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic potential of real-time sonoelastography (RSE) in medial epicondylitis by comparing clinically diagnosed patients and patients without medial elbow pain. From July 2016 to December 2017, gray-scale sonographic findings (swelling, cortical irregularity, hypo-echogenicity, calcification and tear), color Doppler findings (hyperemia) and sonoelastographic findings (elastographic grade on a 3-point visual scale and strain ratio from two regions of interest) for 63 elbows of 56 patients were compared. Twenty-four patients with 29 imaged elbows were clinically diagnosed with medial epicondylitis, and 32 patients with 34 imaged elbows had no medial elbow pain. Cortical irregularity, hypo-echogenicity, calcification, elastographic grade and strain ratio revealed significant differences (p < 0.05). Among these, strain ratio had the highest diagnostic performance (area under the curve: 0.985). Real-time sonoelastography, which can obtain both elastographic grade and strain ratio, is valuable as a supplementary tool in the diagnosis of medial epicondylitis.

To investigate physiotherapists' current knowledge and practice in the management of patients with lateral elbow tendinopathy, to explore associations between the participants' education and management preferences and to identify potential evidence-to-practice gaps by making comparisons with recent research recommendations.An on-line cross-sectional survey.Registered physiotherapists working in Greece with previous experience in the management of lateral elbow tendinopathy.Three hundred and seventy eight responses met the inclusion criteria. Most responders (70.4%-91.5%) use pain provocation tests for the diagnosis of the condition, while a limited proportion uses patient rated outcome measures (6.9%-13%). Supervised exercise is the mainstay of rehabilitation (92.6%), followed by adjunctive research recommended treatment techniques such as manual therapy (72%) and advice (59.5%). Up to 83.6% of participants use adjunctive treatment techniques that are not recommended or without research recommendation (such as electrophysical agents, ice etc.). Physiotherapists with post-graduate education in musculoskeletal physiotherapy are almost three times more likely to choose only research recommended treatment approaches. There is a lack of consensus in an optimal exercise programme (type, volume, duration etc.) in patients with lateral elbow tendinopathy.Despite research recommendations a limited use of patient rated outcome measures in lateral elbow tendinopathy is recorded. Supervised exercise is the first line treatment option for most physiotherapists, although the optimal application is still unclear. A large proportion of physiotherapists apply adjunctive treatment techniques that are either ineffective or poorly researched suggesting a substantial evidence-to-practice gap. Better access to knowledge, organisational and peer-support can potentially help to bridge this gap.

Background Clinical rating systems are used as outcome measures in clinical trials and attempt to gauge the patient's view of his or her own health. The choice of clinical rating system should be supported by its performance against established quality standards. Methods A search strategy was developed to identify all studies that reported the use of clinical rating systems in the elbow literature. The strategy was run from inception in Medline Embase and CINHAL. Data extraction identified the date of publication, country of data collection, pathology assessed, and the outcome measure used. Results We identified 980 studies that reported clinical rating system use. Seventy-two separate rating systems were identified. Forty-one percent of studies used ≥2 separate measures. Overall, 54% of studies used the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS). For arthroplasty, 82% used MEPS, 17% used Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), and 7% used QuickDASH. For trauma, 66.7% used MEPS, 32% used DASH, and 23% used the Morrey Score. For tendinopathy, 31% used DASH, 23% used Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE), and 13% used MEPS. Over time, there was an increased proportional use of the MEPS, DASH, QuickDASH, PRTEE, and the Oxford Elbow Score. Conclusions This study identified a wide choice and usage of clinical rating systems in the elbow literature. Numerous studies reported measures without a history of either a specific pathology or cross-cultural validation. Interpretability and comparison of outcomes is dependent on the unification of outcome measure choice. This was not demonstrated currently.

Background Lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET) is a common musculoskeletal condition that can be treated with therapeutic tape. However, little is known of taping practices for LET in a clinical setting. Objectives To examine Australian healthcare practitioners’ taping techniques, clinical reasoning, and information sources regarding therapeutic tape use for LET. Design Cross-sectional survey. Methods An anonymous online survey was distributed between September 2018 and February 2019. Respondents answered questions about demographics, frequency of tape use, techniques, reasons for application, factors influencing clinical decision-making, and information sources, related to tape for LET. Results/findings 188 Australian healthcare practitioners completed the survey. The majority of respondents were physiotherapists (n = 132, 70%) with the remainder of respondents being chiropractors (21%), myotherapists (3%), exercise physiologists (3%), or osteopaths (3%). 51% of respondents use tape as part of their management for LET at least half the time. The most popular taping technique used is a transverse band of rigid tape across the forearm (n = 78, 55% of respondents who use tape). The most common reasons for tape application are to reduce pain during occupational tasks (n = 123, 65%), and during sport/hobbies (n = 101, 54%). Respondents predominately rely on experience and patient preference to guide tape use. 63% of all respondents (n = 118) sought information about tape from professional development courses. Conclusion A wide range of tape techniques are used to treat LET, despite limited evidence for efficacy. Justification for tape is largely based on experience and patient preference; with information mostly gained from professional development courses. More research is required to understand the relationship between the evidence and clinical use of tape to treat LET.

A plethora of terms that have been used to describe lateral epicondylitis including tennis elbow (TE), epicondylalgia, tendonitis, tendinosis and tendinopathy. These terms usually have the prefix extensor or lateral elbow. Lateral elbow tendinopathy seems to be the most appropriate term to use in clinical practice because other terms make reference to inappropriate aetiological, anatomical and pathophysiological terms. The correct diagnostic term is important for the right treatment.