Percutaneous Tendon Needling without Ultrasonography for Lateral Epicondylitis

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Persistent lateral epicondylitis often requires advanced treatment.
• Percutaneous ultrasonic tendon needling shows efficacy, but the necessity of ultrasonography is debated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous tendon needling without ultrasonography for treating lateral epicondylitis.
• To determine if sonographic guidance is essential for this procedure.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 36 patients with lateral epicondylitis treated with percutaneous tendon needling without ultrasonography.
• Fenestration of the tendinotic lesion (20-30 times) without sonographic assistance.
• Assessment of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain, grip strength, success rates, and Nirschl tennis elbow scores at various follow-up intervals.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements in VAS pain scores and grip strength were observed at 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment.
• Success rates significantly increased by 6 and 12 months compared to 1 month.
• Nirschl scores showed significant improvement at 6 and 12 months compared to baseline.
• No severe complications were reported.

Conclusions:

• Percutaneous tendon needling without ultrasonography is a simple, safe, and effective treatment for refractory lateral epicondylitis.
• Ultrasonography may not be necessary for successful tendon needling in lateral epicondylitis treatment.
• This technique offers a viable option for patients with persistent symptoms.