Lateral epicondylosis: emerging management options

Lateral epicondylosis is one of the most prevalent disorders of the arm and results in significantly decreased function among the workforce and athletes. Historically, the disorder has been diagnosed clinically and treated as an inflammatory entity. Management strategies have included anti-inflammatory medications and techniques, including oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, injected corticosteroid, and physical therapy with modalities. More recent literature postulates a degenerative or compressive etiology, directing some clinicians to try new, more regenerative management strategies such as platelet-rich plasma and stem cell injections. To date, literature evaluating these new treatment methods has shown positive results, although no definitive conclusions can be drawn. More research is needed to evaluate these new treatment methods, and a new look at the diagnosis of the disorder with ultrasound imaging may be reasonable to consider.