Unilateral Lateral Epicondylalgia Research Articles

Widespread Pressure Pain Hyperalgesia Is Not Associated with Morphological Changes of the Wrist Extensor Tendon in Unilateral Lateral Epicondylalgia: A Case-Control Study.

The aims of the current study were to investigate the presence of widespread pressure hyperalgesia, the presence of structural changes in the wrist extensor tendon and muscle, and their association in people with lateral epicondylalgia (LE). Thirty-seven patients with LE (43% women; mean age = 45.5 [SD = 9.5] years) and 37 controls matched for age and sex and free of pain participated in this study. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were assessed bilaterally over the symptomatic area (elbow), 2 segment-related areas (C5-C6 joint, second intermetacarpal space), and 1 remote area (tibialis anterior) in a blinded design. Ultrasound measurements (eg, cross-sectional area, thickness, width) of the common wrist extensor tendon and extensor carpi radials brevis muscle as well as thickness of supinator muscle were assessed. Patients with LE exhibited lower PPTs bilaterally at all points and lower PPTs at the lateral epicondyle and second intermetacarpal space at the symptomatic side as compared to the nonsymptomatic side (η2 from 0.123-0.369; large effects). Patients exhibited higher cross-sectional area and width of the common wrist extensor tendon (η2 from 0.268-0.311; large effects) than controls bilaterally, whereas tendon thickness was also higher (η2 = 0.039; small effects) on the painful side than on the nonpainful side. This study reported bilateral widespread pressure pain hyperalgesia and morphological changes in the tendon, but not the muscle, in LE. Pressure pain sensitivity and morphological changes were not associated in individuals with LE. Management of LE should consider altered nociceptive pain processing and structural tendon changes as 2 different phenomena in patients with LE.

Interhemispheric Inhibition Between Primary Motor Cortices is Not Altered in Individuals With Chronic Lateral Epicondylalgia

Lateral epicondylalgia (LE), commonly referred to as tennis elbow, is a musculoskeletal condition characterized by pain and sensorimotor dysfunction. In some individuals with chronic unilateral LE, sensorimotor symptoms develop on the unaffected side despite no evidence of tissue damage. Altered interhemispheric inhibition (IHI) is one mechanism that could underpin this phenomenon. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine IHI between the primary motor cortices (M1) in individuals with chronic LE and healthy controls. In 20 individuals with chronic LE and 20 healthy participants, transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to assess 1) short and long-latency IHI from the affected (corresponding to the injured side) to the unaffected M1 and 2) corticomotor excitability of the affected and unaffected M1. Sensorimotor function was evaluated bilaterally at the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle using pressure pain threshold, grip strength, 2-point discrimination, and temporal summation tests. Short- and long-latency IHI from the affected to the unaffected M1 and corticomotor excitability of the affected and unaffected M1 were not altered in individuals with LE compared with healthy participants. No differences in sensorimotor function were observed for the affected or unaffected extensor carpi radialis brevis muscles when individuals with LE were compared with healthy participants. IHI is not altered in individuals with chronic LE. Further studies are required to determine the mechanisms that underpin the development of bilateral sensorimotor symptoms in unilateral LE. PerspectiveIHI is unaltered from the affected M1 (corresponding to the painful muscle) to unaffected M1 in individuals with LE compared to healthy controls. The absence of bilateral sensorimotor dysfunction and low pain severity in this cohort of individuals with LE may explain this finding.

Pressure Pain Hypersensitivity and Ultrasound Changes in the Radial Nerve in Patients with Unilateral Lateral Epicondylalgia: A Case-Control Study.

Some authors have proposed the potential role of the radial nerve in lateral epicondylalgia. The aims of this study were to investigate the presence of pressure pain hyperalgesia and nerve swelling (increased cross-sectional area) assessed with ultrasound imaging on the radial nerve in people with lateral epicondylalgia, and to investigate if an association exists between pressure pain sensitivity and cross-sectional area. A total of 37 patients with lateral epicondylalgia (43% women, age: 45.5 ± 9.5 years) and 37 age- and sex-matched pain-free controls were recruited for participation. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were assessed bilaterally on the radial nerve at the spiral groove, the arcade of Frohse, and the anatomic snuffbox in a blinded design. Further, the cross-sectional area of the radial nerve at the spiral groove and antecubital fossa was also assessed. The results demonstrated lower PPTs on the radial nerve of the affected side in individuals with lateral epicondylalgia as compared with the unaffected side (p < 0.01) and with both sides in healthy controls (p < 0.001). Additionally, the cross-sectional area of the radial nerve on the affected side in patients was higher compared with the unaffected side (p < 0.01) and both sides in healthy controls (p < 0.001). The cross-sectional area of the radial nerve at the spiral groove was negatively associated with PPTs over the radial nerve at the spiral groove (r = -0.496, p = 0.002) and positively associated with function (r = 0.325, p = 0.045). Our findings revealed generalized pressure pain hyperalgesia and also nerve swelling of the radial nerve in people with lateral epicondylalgia, suggesting the presence of a widespread sensitization of nerve tissues in this population. The radial nerve could represent a potential peripheral drive to initial and maintain altered pain processing in lateral epicondylalgia.

Arm proprioception in lateral epicondylalgia; a cross-sectional study

Introduction: Lateral epicondylalgia is one of the most common injuries due to overuse with inflammation of the elbow on the lateral epicondyle. Although the clinical features of this disorder are well defined, few therapeutic intervention has been effective. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the proprioception in the upper limb of patients with lateral epicondylalgia, using the sense of joint position and of force reproduction tests. Participants and Methods: Twenty patients with unilateral lateral epicondylalgia and 20 healthy subjects participated in this study. The evaluation of position sense of shoulder, elbow and wrist, and force reproduction sense of shoulder abductor, elbow flexor and wrist extensor were conducted. The proprioceptive performance was determined, using absolute, constant and variable error values. Results: Significant differences were found for the sense of the position of the elbow and wrist between the lateral epicondylalgia and control groups for the variables of absolute error (P=0.003 and P=0.02, respectively) and constant error (P=0.001, P=0.03, respectively). A significant difference was also observed for the sense of force of the elbow flexor and wrist extensor between the two groups for the variables of absolute error (P=0.02 and P=0.02, respectively) and constant error (P=0.016 and P=0.001, respectively). No statistical difference was found for variable errors neither in sense of position nor sense of force (P&gt;0.05). Conclusion: The data confirmed the hypothesis of proprioception deficits in subjects with lateral epicondylalgia, compared to the healthy subjects during the evaluation of the sense of force and position.

Adaptation and transcultural translation into Spanish of the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation Questionnaire.

The purpose of this study was to perform the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation Questionnaire to Spanish language and evaluate its reliability and validity. The translation and cultural adaptation into Spanish was done in accordance with the published guidelines. One-hundred fifty Spanish-speaking patients with unilateral chronic lateral epicondylalgia competed the questionnaire. Test-retest reliability was established by the intraclass correlation coefficient. Internal consistency was established with Cronbach's α. To establish convergent validity, we used the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire using the Spearman's correlation coefficient. Error estimation in the measurements was calculated with the standard error of measurement. Our results showed a high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = .96) and high test-retest reliability (intraclass coefficient = .9; .89-.94; P < .001). The Spearman's correlation coefficient (r = .765; P < .001) showed a good relationship between the Spanish version of the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation Questionnaire and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire. The standard error of measurement (11.9%) showed little variability of measurements. In conclusion, the Spanish version of the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation Questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool that can be used to assess lateral epicondylalgia in Spanish-speaking individuals in order to implement the best treatment and reduce time with pain and disability.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation in chronic lateral elbow pain

Abstract Background Lateral epicondylalgia (LE), also known as tennis elbow, refers to a painful condition around the lateral epicondyle of the humerus and the common extensor tendon, which worsens with dorsiflexion and/or wrist supination against resistance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation (PNM) applied to the radial nerve in relation to pain, functionality, electrophysiological excitation and the morphology of the nerve in patients with chronic lateral epicondylalgia. Material and Methods A randomized clinical trial was performed. In total, 28 patients (15 women, 13 men) with chronic unilateral LE were randomly divided into two groups: a control group (CG = 12) who did not receive any treatment and an experimental group (PNM = 16) who received a weekly session during three weeks of ultrasound-guided PNM on the affected radial nerve. Concretely, the therapy consisted of the application of an asymmetric biphasic current on the symptomatic side, with a frequency of 10 Hz, a phase duration of 250 microseconds, and sufficient current intensity to observe a contraction in the forearm during 1.5 minutes. The variables analyzed were: pain, measured via the visual analog scale (VAS); functionality, measured using the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE); the morphology of the nerve with the calculation of the cross-sectional area (CSA) and the electrophysiological excitability with the intensity-time curve (accommodation coefficient) of the radial nerve studied Results There were no differences between the two groups in the initial assessment regarding pain, functionality and nerve morphology (all comparisons obtained a p &gt; 0.05). However, at the end of the study, the groups were significantly different. After treatment, there were significant differences in all variables: for the VAS (p &lt; 0.001) with a large effect size (d &gt; 0.8); for all values of the PRTEE (p &lt; 0.001) the effect size was median (d &gt; 0.5) and for the CSA (p = 0.001) the effect size was large (d &gt; 0.8). Only the PNM group displayed significant increases in their values compared to the initial assessment, with a large effect size for all variables (d &gt; 0.8). Regarding the accommodation coefficient, 75% of patients (12/16) displayed hypoexcitability of the nerve in the PNM group and 64% of patients (8/12) in the CG at the beginning of the study. After treatment, only the PNM group showed significant improvements in the pattern of excitability of the radial nerve, reaching normal nerve function in all subjects (p &lt; 0.001). Conclusion Ultrasound-guided PNM leads to a decrease in pain and CSA of the radial nerve; furthermore, it produces an increased functionality of the elbow and normalization of the electrophysiological excitability of the affected radial nerve. Ultrasound-guided PNM appears to be an appropriate tool for the treatment of patients with chronic LE.

Strength-Duration Curves of Radial Nerve in Patients With Lateral Elbow Pain.

Lateral epicondylalgia (LE) refers to a painful condition at or around the lateral epicondyle of the humerus. LE is one of the most common injuries of the elbow; however, the cause of the pathology is not clear. Patients often experience symptoms consistent with a radial nerve injury; however, data on the involvement of the radial nerve are needed. To analyze the relationship between electrophysiologic excitability and morphology of the radial nerve in patients with unilateral chronic LE. Cross-sectional study. Department of Physiotherapy, University of Seville. A total of 56 elbows (28 right, 28 left) in 28 patients (12 females, 16 males; age 49 [7.37]y) were recruited by convenience sampling. Strength-duration curves (chronaxia and accommodation index) and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the radial nerve were made in all participants. All parameters were compared between both limbs. Also, pain with palpation in the lateral epicondyle and functional pain of involved extremities was assessed using visual analog scale and the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation, respectively. Symptomatic limb showed higher CSA values of the radial nerve when compared with the asymptomatic limb (P < .001). On the symptomatic limb, duration of symptoms was positively correlated with CSA values. Chronaxia values were all normal and similar between both limbs (P = .35). Regarding accommodation index, 14 (54%) patients showed accommodation indices that suggested pathological radial nerve on the right limb, 4 (14%) on the left limb, 5 (18%) on both limbs, and 4 (14%) had none of the affected nerves. Eight-six percent of patients showed accommodation indices that suggested pathological radial nerve, independently of symptomatic limb. In these cases, affected nerves had higher CSA than the unaffected nerve (P = .01). On the affected nerves, duration of symptoms was positively correlated with accommodation indices. These findings suggest that patients with unilateral chronic LE show a decreased excitability in any radial nerve, independently of the symptomatic limb, and that pathological nerves have higher CSA than the nonpathological nerves.

Temporal divergence of changes in pain and pain-free grip strength after manual acupuncture or electroacupuncture: an experimental study in people with lateral epicondylalgia

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to examine, in individuals with lateral epicondylalgia (LE), the acute time course of acupuncture-induced hypoalgesia and change in pain-free grip strength (PFGS).MethodsThis was an experimental study, conducted at a single research center in Vancouver, BC. Twenty-one participants with unilateral LE lasting more than 6 weeks duration were enrolled. Participants received a single treatment of acupuncture (either electroacupuncture, 10–30 Hz, or manual acupuncture, assigned randomly). The primary outcome measure was pain level (0–10) during tendon loading (while making a fist) immediately after treatment, and over a 72 h follow-up period. Secondary outcome measures included pain-free grip strength (N).ResultsThere was a small but statistically significant reduction in participants’ perceived pain level immediately after acupuncture (mean improvement of 1.2, 95% CI 0.45–1.9). This change in pain was not accompanied by a change in PFGS. No difference was observed between the two types of acupuncture at any time point.ConclusionsThe use of acupuncture or electroacupuncture, as administered in the current study, is unlikely to acutely enhance the ability of people with LE to engage in pain-free rehabilitation exercise.Trial registration Registered February 25, 2015. ISRCTN14667535, http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN14667535

Isometric Exercise Above but not Below an Individual's Pain Threshold Influences Pain Perception in People With Lateral Epicondylalgia.

To examine the acute effects of isometric exercise of different intensities on pain perception in individuals with chronic lateral epicondylalgia. Participants performed 3 experimental tasks completed in a randomized order on separate days: control (no exercise) and isometric wrist extension (10×15 s) at load 20% below (infrathreshold), and 20% above (suprathreshold) an individual's pain threshold. Self-reported pain intensity (11-point numeric rating scales), pressure pain threshold, and pain-free grip were assessed by a blinded examiner before, immediately after, and 30 minutes after task performance. Relation analysis between pain ratings and clinical variables, including pain and disability and kinesiophobia was performed. Twenty-four individuals with unilateral lateral epicondylalgia of median 3-month duration participated. Pain intensity during contraction was significantly higher during suprathreshold exercise than infrathreshold exercise (mean difference in numeric rating scale 1.0; 95% confidence interval, 0.4-1.5; P=0.002). Pain intensity during suprathreshold exercise was significantly correlated with pain and disability (R=0.435, P=0.034) and kinesiophobia (R=0.556, P=0.005). Pain intensity was significantly higher immediately after performance of suprathreshold exercise, compared with infrathreshold exercise (P=0.01) and control (P<0.001) conditions, whereas infrathreshold exercise and control conditions were comparable. Thirty minutes later, pain levels remained significantly higher for suprathreshold exercise compared with infrathreshold exercise (P=0.043). Pressure pain threshold and pain-free grip showed no significant effects of time, condition, or time×condition (P>0.05). Individuals with lateral epicondylalgia demonstrated increased pain intensity after an acute bout of isometric exercise performed at an intensity above, but not below, their individual pain threshold. Further investigation is needed to determine whether measurement of an individual's exercise induced pain threshold may be important in reducing symptom flares associated with exercise.

Forearm muscle activity is modified bilaterally in unilateral lateral epicondylalgia: A case-control study.

Lateral epicondylalgia (LE) is associated with a reduced wrist extensor muscle activity and altered biomechanics. This study compared the coordination between forearm muscles during gripping in individuals with LE and pain-free controls. Intramuscular electrodes recorded myoelectric activity from extensor carpi radialis brevis/longus (ECRB/ECRL), extensor digitorum communis (EDC), flexor digitorum superficialis/profundus (FDS/FDP), and flexor carpi radialis (FCR), bilaterally, in 15 participants with unilateral LE and 15 pain-free controls. Participants performed a gripping task at 20% maximum force in four arm positions. The contribution of each muscle was expressed as a proportion of the summed electromyography of all muscles. In individuals with LE, ECRB contributed less to total electromyography in the symptomatic arm but not the asymptomatic arm than pain-free controls. The contribution of EDC and FDP to total electromyography was greater in both the symptomatic and asymptomatic arm of the LE group, than pain-free controls. No other differences were observed between groups. Subtle differences in muscle activation were present with differing arm positions. These findings indicate forearm muscle activity is modified in LE. It is unknown whether this is cause or effect. Changes in the asymptomatic side may imply involvement of central mechanisms.

An Investigation of the Asymptomatic Limb in Unilateral Lateral Epicondylalgia.

Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) imaging is used to investigate features of tendinosis. Recent studies have reported tendon pathology not only in the symptomatic tendon but also in the contralateral asymptomatic tendon of animals and humans with unilateral Achilles tendinopathy. This study assessed the symptomatic and contralateral asymptomatic tendon in unilateral lateral epicondylalgia (LE) for features of tendinosis and compared with a pain-free control. Twenty-nine participants with clinically diagnosed unilateral LE and 32 pain-free controls (matched for age, sex, and arm dominance) underwent a blinded bilateral MSUS examination of the common extensor tendon using a standardized protocol. Grayscale features, including tendon thickening, hypoechoic region, fibrillar disruption and calcification, as well as neovascularity, were scored using separate ordinal scales. Tendon thickness and hypoechoic volume were also measured. The contralateral asymptomatic tendon did not differ from the tendons of the pain-free controls. The symptomatic tendon of participants with LE revealed a significantly greater score for the following: tendon thickening (mean difference, 0.76 (95% confidence interval, 0.22-1.30)), hypoechoic changes (0.58 (0.05-1.11)), fibrillar disruption (0.97 (0.52-1.42)), and neovascularity (1.53 (0.9-2.2)) than controls. Hypoechoic volume was greater in the symptomatic arm (33.0 mm3 (8.4-57.6)), than that in the controls. Unlike Achilles tendinopathy, MSUS examination did not reveal features of tendinosis in the contralateral asymptomatic limb beyond those present in tendons of pain-free controls.

Economic evaluation favours physiotherapy but not corticosteroid injection as a first-line intervention for chronic lateral epicondylalgia: evidence from a randomised clinical trial

AimTo determine the cost-effectiveness of corticosteroid injection, physiotherapy and a combination of these interventions, compared to a reference group receiving a blinded placebo injection.Methods165 adults with unilateral lateral epicondylalgia of...

Scapular muscle performance in individuals with lateral epicondylalgia.

Descriptive, laboratory-based, cross-sectional study. To describe scapular musculature strength, endurance, and change in thickness in individuals with unilateral lateral epicondylalgia (LE) compared to the uninvolved limb and the corresponding limb of a matched comparison group. Reported poor long-term outcomes for the nonsurgical management of individuals with LE suggest a less-than-optimal rehabilitation process. Knowledge of scapular muscle function in a working population of individuals with LE may help to further refine conservative management of this condition. Twenty-eight patients with symptomatic LE and 28 controls matched by age and sex were recruited to participate in the study. Strength of the middle trapezius (MT), lower trapezius (LT), and serratus anterior (SA) was measured with a handheld dynamometer. A scapular isometric muscle endurance task was performed in prone. Changes in muscle thickness of the SA and LT were measured with ultrasound imaging. Analysis-of-variance models were used to determine within- and between-group differences. The involved side of the group with LE had significantly lower values for MT strength (P = .031), SA strength (P<.001), LT strength (P = .006), endurance (P = .003), and change in SA thickness (P = .028) when compared to the corresponding limb of the control group. The involved side of the group with LE had significantly lower strength of the LT (P = .023) and SA (P = .016) when compared to the uninvolved limb; however, these differences were small and of potentially limited clinical significance. When compared to a matched comparison group, there were impairments of scapular musculature strength and endurance in patients with LE, suggesting that the scapular musculature should be assessed and potentially treated in this population. Cause and effect cannot be established, as the weakness of the scapular musculature could be a result of LE.

Cold Hyperalgesia Associated With Poorer Prognosis in Lateral Epicondylalgia

Predictors of outcome in lateral epicondylalgia, which is mainly characterized as a mechanical hyperalgesia, are largely limited to sociodemographic and symptomatic factors. Quantitative sensory testing is used to study altered pain processing in various chronic pain conditions and may be of prognostic relevance. The predictive capacity of early measures of physical and psychological impairment on pain and disability and mechanical hyperalgesia, were examined using data from 41 patients assigned to placebo in a prospective randomized controlled trial of unilateral lateral epicondylalgia. Quantitative sensory testing (pressure, cold pain thresholds), motor function (pain-free grip), and psychological factors (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) were measured at baseline. The outcome measures were the Patient-rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) scale and pressure pain threshold (PPT) measured by digital algometry at the affected elbow. Backward stepwise linear regression was used to predict PRTEE and PPT scores at 2 and 12 months. Cold pain threshold was the only consistent predictor for both PRTEE (P<0.034) and PPT (P<0.048). Initial PRTEE was the strongest single predictor of PRTEE at 2 months, whereas female sex was the strongest single predictor of PPT (P<0.002). At 1 year, final models explained 9% to 52% of the variability in pain and disability and mechanical hyperalgesia, respectively. Early assessment of cold pain threshold could be a useful clinical tool to help identify patients at risk of poorer outcomes and might provide direction for future research into mechanism-based treatment approaches for these patients.

Diagnostic ultrasound imaging for lateral epicondylalgia: a case-control study.

Lateral epicondylalgia (LE) is clinically diagnosed as pain over the lateral elbow that is provoked by gripping. Usually, LE responds well to conservative intervention; however, those who fail such treatment require further evaluation, including musculoskeletal ultrasound. Previous studies of musculoskeletal ultrasound have methodological flaws, such as lack of assessor blinding and failure to control for participant age, sex, and arm dominance. The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic use of blinded ultrasound imaging in people with clinically diagnosed LE compared with that in a control group matched for age, sex, and arm dominance. Participants (30 with LE and 30 controls) underwent clinical examination as the criterion standard test. Unilateral LE was defined as pain over the lateral epicondyle, which was provoked by palpation, resisted wrist and finger extension, and gripping. Controls without symptoms were matched for age, sex, and arm dominance. Ultrasound investigations were performed by two sonographers using a standardized protocol. Grayscale images were assessed for signs of tendon pathology and rated on a four-point ordinal scale. Power Doppler was used to assess neovascularity and rated on a five-point ordinal scale. The combination of grayscale and power Doppler imaging revealed an overall sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 47%. The positive and negative likelihood ratios for combined grayscale and power Doppler imaging were 1.69 and 0.21, respectively. Although ultrasound imaging helps confirm the absence of LE, when findings are negative for tendinopathic changes, the high prevalence of tendinopathic changes in pain-free controls challenges the specificity of the measure. The validity of ultrasound imaging to confirm tendon pathology in clinically diagnosed LE requires further study with strong methodology.

Bilateral Cervical Dysfunction in Patients With Unilateral Lateral Epicondylalgia Without Concomitant Cervical or Upper Limb Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Case-Control Study

ObjectiveThe purposes of this study were to examine the prevalence and distribution of spinal and neurodynamic dysfunction in a population with unilateral lateral epicondylalgia (LE) without concomitant cervical or upper limb symptoms, compare with cervical examination in a healthy control population, and investigate potential associations with clinical and demographic factors. MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 165 patients with LE along with 62 healthy controls. Manual examination (C4-T2) was performed by an unblinded examiner with dysfunction defined as pain of 3 or higher on a numerical rating scale in the presence of a severe or moderate hypomobility or hypermobility. Neurodynamic testing (radial nerve) was classified positive if LE symptoms were reproduced and altered by sensitization maneuver. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare sides, segmental levels, and groups. Regression analysis was used to determine associations between variables. ResultsThirty-six percent of patients had dysfunction of at least 1 spinal palpation site, and 41% had a positive neurodynamic test. Significant group-by-level (P = .02) and group-by-side (P = .04) interactions were found for spinal examination, with greater dysfunction bilaterally at C4-7 (P < .01) in LE compared with control arms. The number of positive palpation sites was associated with injury duration (P = .03), whereas neurodynamic response was associated with severity of resting pain (P = .04). ConclusionsCervical dysfunction is evident in individuals with LE without obvious neck pain and may reflect central sensitization mechanisms. Further study of the nature of the relationship between cervical dysfunction and LE is required.

Effect of Corticosteroid Injection, Physiotherapy, or Both on Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Unilateral Lateral Epicondylalgia

Corticosteroid injection and physiotherapy, common treatments for lateral epicondylalgia, are frequently combined in clinical practice. However, evidence on their combined efficacy is lacking. To investigate the effectiveness of corticosteroid injection, multimodal physiotherapy, or both in patients with unilateral lateral epicondylalgia. A 2 × 2 factorial, randomized, injection-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at a single university research center and 16 primary care settings in Brisbane, Australia. A total of 165 patients aged 18 years or older with unilateral lateral epicondylalgia of longer than 6 weeks' duration were enrolled between July 2008 and May 2010; 1-year follow-up was completed in May 2011. Corticosteroid injection (n = 43), placebo injection (n = 41), corticosteroid injection plus physiotherapy (n = 40), or placebo injection plus physiotherapy (n = 41). The 2 primary outcomes were 1-year global rating of change scores for complete recovery or much improvement and 1-year recurrence (defined as complete recovery or much improvement at 4 or 8 weeks, but not later) analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis (P < .01). Secondary outcomes included complete recovery or much improvement at 4 and 26 weeks. Corticosteroid injection resulted in lower complete recovery or much improvement at 1 year vs placebo injection (83% vs 96%, respectively; relative risk [RR], 0.86 [99% CI, 0.75-0.99]; P = .01) and greater 1-year recurrence (54% vs 12%; RR, 0.23 [99% CI, 0.10-0.51]; P < .001). The physiotherapy and no physiotherapy groups did not differ on 1-year ratings of complete recovery or much improvement (91% vs 88%, respectively; RR, 1.04 [99% CI, 0.90-1.19]; P = .56) or recurrence (29% vs 38%; RR, 1.31 [99% CI, 0.73-2.35]; P = .25). Similar patterns were found at 26 weeks, with lower complete recovery or much improvement after corticosteroid injection vs placebo injection (55% vs 85%, respectively; RR, 0.79 [99% CI, 0.62-0.99]; P < .001) and no difference between the physiotherapy and no physiotherapy groups (71% vs 69%, respectively; RR, 1.22 [99% CI, 0.97-1.53]; P = .84). At 4 weeks, there was a significant interaction between corticosteroid injection and physiotherapy (P = .01), whereby patients receiving the placebo injection plus physiotherapy had greater complete recovery or much improvement vs no physiotherapy (39% vs 10%, respectively; RR, 4.00 [99% CI, 1.07-15.00]; P = .004). However, there was no difference between patients receiving the corticosteroid injection plus physiotherapy vs corticosteroid alone (68% vs 71%, respectively; RR, 0.95 [99% CI, 0.65-1.38]; P = .57). Among patients with chronic unilateral lateral epicondylalgia, the use of corticosteroid injection vs placebo injection resulted in worse clinical outcomes after 1 year, and physiotherapy did not result in any significant differences. anzctr.org Identifier: ACTRN12609000051246.

Thermal Hyperalgesia Distinguishes Those With Severe Pain and Disability in Unilateral Lateral Epicondylalgia

To evaluate if sensory, motor, and psychological factors are different in severe lateral epicondylalgia compared with less severe cases and control. A total of 164 patients with unilateral lateral epicondylalgia and 62 healthy control participants of comparable age and sex underwent the following testing: quantitative sensory testing (pressure, thermal pain thresholds), pain-free grip, quality of life (EuroQol), and psychological (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia) testing. Cluster analysis classified patients into mild, moderate, or severe subgroups using the Patient Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation. Data were then evaluated to determine differences between control and lateral epicondylalgia subgroups. Bilateral cold hyperalgesia (affected elbow, standardized mean difference (SMD) -1.14, P=0.000; unaffected elbow SMD -0.94, P=0.000) and unilateral heat hyperalgesia (SMD -1.06, P=0.001) were evident in severe lateral epicondylalgia in comparison to healthy controls. All patient groups regardless of severity demonstrated bilateral and widespread mechanical hyperalgesia relative to controls (P<0.003); however, only those with moderate and severe symptoms showed large differences (Absolute SMD>0.8) at all sites. Quality of life was significantly poorer in patients with severe symptoms, whereas anxiety, depression, and kinesiophobia did not differ between subgroups. Lateral epicondylalgia patients presenting with severe pain and disability could be distinguished by hypersensitivity to thermal stimuli, notably bilateral cold hyperalgesia. Findings may implicate a combination of central, peripheral, and sympathetic nervous system processes and may help explain the poorer outcomes found in this subpopulation.

Elbow flexor and extensor muscle weakness in lateral epicondylalgia

ObjectiveTo evaluate whether deficits of elbow flexor and extensor muscle strength exist in lateral epicondylalgia (LE) in comparison with a healthy control population.DesignCross-sectional study.Participants150 participants with unilateral LE were compared...

Topographical Pressure and Thermal Pain Sensitivity Mapping in Patients With Unilateral Lateral Epicondylalgia

Our aim was to quantify spatial differences in pressure and thermal pain sensitivity maps between patients with unilateral lateral epicondylalgia (LE) and age- and sex-matched controls. Pressure (PPT), cold (CPT), and heat (HPT) pain thresholds were assessed over 12 points forming a 3 × 4 matrix (4 points in the superior part, 4 points in the middle, and 4 points in the lower part around the lateral epicondyle) bilaterally in 16 subjects with strictly unilateral LE and 16 age- and sex-matched controls in a blinded design. Topographical pain sensitivity maps to pressure and thermal stimulation over the elbow in patients with LE and healthy controls were calculated. A multilevel 3-way ANCOVA test was applied to detect differences in topographical maps between groups. Subjects with LE showed bilateral lower PPT, higher CPT (pain at higher temperature) and lower HPT (pain at lower temperature) at all the measurement points as compared to controls (all, P < .01). PPT were lower at points over the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) muscle as compared to points over the extensor digitorum communis muscle ( P < .01) and over the extensor carpi ulnaris muscle ( P < .001). CPT and HPT were not significantly different between points ( P > .05). Topographical pressure and thermal pain sensitivity maps revealed bilateral hyperalgesia in patients with strictly unilateral LE. LE patients exhibited heterogeneously distributed pressure pain hyperalgesia while cold or heat maps were homogenous. The most sensitive localizations for PPT assessment corresponded to the muscle belly of the ECRB. Our results confirm the role of ECRB muscle in LE and argue for evidence of peripheral and central sensitization mechanisms in patients with strictly unilateral symptoms. Perspective Topographical pressure and thermal sensitivity maps revealed bilateral hyperalgesia in patients with strictly unilateral lateral epicondylalgia (LE). LE patients exhibited heterogeneously distributed pressure pain hyperalgesia while cold or heat pain maps were homogenous. The most sensitive localizations for PPT assessment corresponded to the muscle belly of the ECRB.