Sonographic-guided injection of corticosteroid in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis


ÜNLÜ Z., TARHAN S., Ovali G. Y., PABUŞÇU Y.

Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain, cilt.17, sa.1, ss.48-58, 2009 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 17 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2009
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1080/10582450802679995
  • Dergi Adı: Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.48-58
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Lateral epicondylitis, corticosteroid, ultrasonography
  • Manisa Celal Bayar Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Objective: In this study the advantage of ultrasonography [US] in diagnosis and therapy of lateral epicondylitis [LE] was investigated in patients with lateral elbow pain and clinically diagnosed as LE. Methods: Fifty-two patients with LE were examined using sonography. For the patients in whom normal US examination was found, a blind injection of methylprednisolone 20 mg and 0.5 ml one percent lignocaine was performed [Group 1]. The patients whose clinical diagnosis was confirmed with US received a sonographic-guided injection of methylprednisolone 20 mg and 0.5 ml one percent lignocaine [Group 2]. Outcome measurements were performed at baseline, two weeks, one month, and three months. Pain and functional status were assessed using a visual analog scale, physical functioning and bodily pain scales of the Medical Outcomes Study 36 Item Short-Form Health Survey, a patient-rated forearm evaluation questionnaire, and a patient-specific functional scale. Painless grip strength bilaterally was also measured. Results: Twenty-four [46.2 percent] patients had a normal-appearing common extensor origin on US. The group in which diagnosis of LE was confirmed on US and sonographic-guided corticosteroid injections improved significantly from the baseline to the third month follow up [P < 0.000] in both clinical assessment and physical examination findings. Conclusions: Our case series suggested that sonography of the common extensor origin can be used to confirm LE in patients with lateral elbow pain. Although sonographic-guided injections produced more clinical improvement, further studies are needed to determine effectiveness of sonographic-guided injections. © 2009 by Informa Healthcare USA, Inc. All rights reserved.