Autologous blood injections for refractory lateral epicondylitis

PURPOSE: Most nonsurgical treatments for lateral epicondylitis have focused on suppressing an inflammatory process that does not actually exist in conditions of tendinosis. An injection of autologous blood might provide the necessary cellular and humoral mediators to induce a healing cascade. The purpose of this study was to evaluate prospectively the results of refractory lateral epicondylitis treated with autologous blood injections. METHOD: Twenty-eight patients with lateral epicondylitis were injected with 2 mL of autologous blood under the extensor carpi radialis brevis. All patients had failed previous nonsurgical treatments including all or combinations of physical therapy, splinting, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, and prior steroid injections. Patients kept personal logs and rated their pain (0-10) and categorized themselves according to Nirschl staging (0-7) daily. RESULTS: The average follow-up period was 9.5 months (range, 6-24 mo). After autologous blood injections the average pain score decreased from 7.8 to 2.3. The average Nirschl stage decreased from 6.5 to 2.0. For the 9 patients receiving more than one blood injection the mean pain score and Nirschl stage before injection were 7.2 and 6.6, respectively. After the second blood injection the pain and Nirschl scores were both 0.9. Two patients received a third blood injection that brought both pain and Nirschl scores to 0. CONCLUSIONS: After autologous blood injection therapy 22 patients (79%) in whom nonsurgical modalities had failed were relieved completely of pain even during strenuous activity. This study offers encouraging results of an alternative minimally invasive treatment that addresses the pathophysiology of lateral epicondylitis that has failed traditional nonsurgical modalities.     

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy in the treatment of chronic tendinopathies

Many clinical trials have evaluated the use of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for treating patients with chronic tendinosis of the supraspinatus, lateral epicondylitis, and plantar fasciitis. Although extracorporeal shock wave therapy has been reported to be effective in some trials, in others it was no more effective than placebo. The multiple variables associated with this therapy, such as the amount of energy delivered, the method of focusing the shock waves, frequency and timing of delivery, and whether or not anesthetics are used, makes comparing clinical trials difficult. Calcific tendinosis of the supraspinatus and plantar fasciitis have been successfully managed with extracorporeal shock wave therapy when nonsurgical management has failed. Results have been mixed in the management of lateral epicondylitis, however, and this therapy has not been effective in managing noncalcific tendinosis of the supraspinatus. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy has consistently been more effective with patient feedback, which enables directing the shock waves to the most painful area (clinical focusing), rather than with anatomic or image-guided focusing, which are used to direct the shock wave to an anatomic landmark or structure.     

Safety and efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for chronic lateral epicondylitis

Efficacy and safety of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) were investigated in 36 patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis--9 patients receiving and 27 patients not receiving worker's compensation. All patients were treated with a single application of 3200 shock waves. Twelve weeks after treatment, the mean visual analog scale score for the entire group improved from 8.0 to 2.5 (P < .05), and the mean RAND 36-Item Health Survey (Physical Functioning) score improved from 65.6 to 88.0 (P < .05). Outcomes for 28 elbows (77.8%) were rated excellent or good on the Roles and Maudsley scale. There were no significant differences in outcome measures among the subgroups. There were no significant complications. ESWT is an effective treatment for chronic lateral epicondylitis. Worker's compensation status did not affect outcomes.     

顽固性肱骨外上髁炎的外科治疗

目的探讨顽固性肱骨外上髁炎的手术治疗效果。方法2007年1月至2009年12月,我科采用局部麻醉下Nirschl改良手术治疗顽固性肱骨外上髁炎21例,术后通过VAS疼痛评分和Nirschl＆Pettrone分级评估患肘疼痛和功能改善情况。结果21例患者平均随访时问23．6个月。VAS疼痛评分术前休息时为6．21,日常活动时7．10,体育活动时8．76;术后休息时为0．83,日常活动时1．46,体育活动时2．22。术前、术后两者比较差异均有统计学意义。术后Nirschl＆Pettrone肘关节功能分级优13例,良7例,中1例,优良率95．2％。1例患者术后出现肘关节囊壁破裂后关节滑液积聚形成的皮下囊性肿胀,局部麻醉下行关节囊修复后肿胀消失。结论外科治疗顽固性肱骨外上髁炎可以有效改善肘关节疼痛和恢复关节活动,手术效果好。     

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy without local anesthesia for chronic lateral epicondylitis

BACKGROUND: The use of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for the treatment of lateral epicondylitis is controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of extracorporeal shock wave therapy without local anesthesia to treat chronic lateral epicondylitis. METHODS: One hundred and fourteen patients with a minimum six-month history of lateral epicondylitis that was unresponsive to conventional therapy were randomized into double-blind active treatment and placebo groups. The protocol consisted of three weekly treatments of either low-dose shock wave therapy without anesthetic or a sham treatment. Patients had a physical examination, including provocation testing and dynamometry, at one, four, eight, and twelve weeks and at six and twelve months after treatment. Radiographs, laboratory studies, and electrocardiograms were also evaluated prior to participation and at twelve weeks. A visual analog scale was used to evaluate pain, and an upper extremity functional scale was used to assess function. Crossover to active treatment was initiated for nonresponsive patients who had received the placebo and met the inclusion criteria after twelve weeks. RESULTS: A total of 108 of the 114 randomized patients completed all treatments and the twelve weeks of follow-up required by the protocol. Sixty-one patients completed one year of follow-up, whereas thirty-four patients crossed over to receive active treatment. A significant difference (p = 0.001) in pain reduction was observed at twelve weeks in the intent-to-treat cohort, with an improvement in the pain score of at least 50% seen in 61% (thirty-four) of the fifty-six patients in the active treatment group who were treated according to protocol compared with 29% (seventeen) of the fifty-eight subjects in the placebo group. This improvement persisted in those followed to one year. Functional activity scores, activity-specific evaluation, and the overall impression of the disease state all showed significant improvement as well (p < 0.05). Crossover patients also showed significant improvement after twelve weeks of active treatment, with 56% (nineteen of thirty-four) achieving an improvement in the pain score of at least 50% (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that low-dose shock wave therapy without anesthetic is a safe and effective treatment for chronic lateral epicondylitis.     

Musculoskeletal shock wave therapy--current database of clinical research

During the past decade application of extracorporal shock waves became an established procedure for the treatment of various musculoskeletal diseases in Germany. Up to now the positive results of prospective randomised controlled trials have been published for the treatment of plantar fasciitis, lateral elbow epicondylitis (tennis elbow), and of calcifying tendinitis of the rotator cuff. Most recently, contradicting results of prospective randomised placebo-controlled trials with adequate sample size calculation have been reported. The goal of this review is to present information about the current clinical database on extracorporeal shock wave treatment (ESWT).     

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis : a randomized multicenter trial

BACKGROUND: On the basis of observational trials, numerous investigators have recommended extracorporeal shock wave therapy as an alternative treatment for chronic lateral epicondylitis of the elbow. However, there has been no evidence of its efficacy from well-designed randomized clinical trials. The objective of this study was to find out whether extracorporeal shock wave therapy in combination with local anesthesia was superior to placebo therapy in combination with local anesthesia. METHODS: A randomized multicenter trial with a parallel-group design was conducted. Following administration of local anesthesia, either extracorporeal shock wave therapy with three treatments of 2000 pulses each and a positive energy flux density (ED+) of 0.07 to 0.09 mJ/mm (2) or placebo therapy was applied on an outpatient basis. Treatment allocation was blinded for patients and for observers. The primary end point was based on the rate of success, as determined with the Roles and Maudsley score and whether additional treatment was required, twelve weeks after the intervention. Crossover was possible after assessment of the primary end point. Secondary end points were the Roles and Maudsley score, subjective pain rating, and grip strength after six and twelve weeks and after twelve months. The planned number of 272 patients was included in the study. RESULTS: The primary end point could be assessed for 90.8% of the patients. The success rate was 25.8% in the group treated with extracorporeal shock wave therapy and 25.4% in the placebo group, a difference of 0.4% with a 95% confidence interval of -10.5% to 11.3%. Similarly, there was no relevant difference between groups with regard to the secondary end points. Improvement was observed in two-thirds of the patients from both groups twelve months after the intervention. Few side effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Extracorporeal shock wave therapy as applied in the present study was ineffective in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis. The previously reported success of this therapy appears to be attributable to inappropriate study designs. Different application protocols might improve clinical outcome. We recommend that extracorporeal shock wave therapy be applied only in high-quality clinical trials until it is proved to be effective.     

The effect of extracorporeal shock waves on joint cartilage – an in vivo study in rabbits

The application of extracorporeal shock waves has become a new mode of treatment for affections of the locomotor apparatus such as calcifying tendinitis, epicondylitis humeri radialis, calcaneodynia and pseudarthrosis. The treatment often takes place in the vicinity of joints. Up to now no systematic data have been published about possible side-effects on joint cartilage. In an in vivo study the effect of extracorporeal shock waves on joint cartilage was evaluated in 24 immature New Zealand White rabbits. The left lateral femoral condyle of each animal was treated with 2000 shock waves of 1.2 mJ/mm²; the right condyle served as control. Macroscopical, radiological and histological analysis at 0, 3, 12 and 24 weeks after treatment showed no pathological changes in the joint cartilage. We conclude that extracoporeal shock wave treatment does not cause damage to the joint cartilage of growing rabbits. Received: 9 August 1999     

Shock-wave therapy for tennis and golfer’s elbow – 1 year follow-up

Thirty patients with chronic medial epicondylitis were treated with low-energy shock waves. They received 500 impulses of 0.08 mJ/mm² three times at weekly intervals. At 1 year follow-up examinations were performed. According to the Verhaar criteria, only seven patients reached excellent or good results. In eight cases a fair outcome was recorded, and in 14 patients the outcome was poor. Only six patients were satisfied with the treatment. The average relief of pain was 32%. These data were significantly worse than for identically treated patients with chronic tennis elbow. Thus, the question arises as to whether extracorporal shock-wave therapy is indicated in medial epicondylitis. Received: 18 November 1997     

Physical-technical principles of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT)

Extracorporeal shock waves in orthopaedics are currently applied in the treatment of chronic enthesiopathies such as lateral epicondylitis, plantar heel spur, as well as in calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder or in bony nonunions. Detailed knowledge of physical parameters and properties of shock waves appear to be necessary to determine clinically relevant dose-effect relations and to make shock wave devices, clinical results, and basic science in shock wave therapy more comparable. This study gives an overview of physical parameters and properties in shock wave therapy. Measurement technologies, types of shock wave devices, and mechanisms of shock waves are also described.     

Platelet rich plasma versus laser therapy in lateral epicondylitis of elbow

Background:

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) extract has shown to be a general stimulation for repair and currently used widely in various sports injury. A prospective observational study was done to assess the efficacy of autologous PRP injection in lateral epicondylitis of elbow, and compare the result with low level laser therapy.

Materials and Methods:

The trial was conducted at a tertiary care center for a period of 2 years. Eighty-one patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis were divided into two groups. PRP group (n = 39) and laser therapy group (n = 42). The primary analysis included Nirschl pain score, local tenderness, pain on wrist extension, grip strength, elbow swelling were clinically assessed at different interval of followup (minimum followup: 52 weeks) and; clinical and functional outcome evaluated at final followup. The statistical analysis were done.

Results:

The mean Nirschl pain score decreased significantly from baseline in PRP when compared with low level laser therapy (P ≤ 0.05).

Conclusions:

Treatment of patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis with PRP extract reduced pain and significantly increased function, exceeding the effect of low level laser therapy on long term followup. Low-level laser therapy is better in the short term period, but on long term followup injection PRP therapy is better than laser therapy in lateral epicondylitis.     

体外冲击波治疗难治性IIIB型慢性前列腺炎的临床研究

目的 探讨体外冲击波治疗IIIB型慢性前列腺炎的临床疗效。方法 将32例ⅢВ型慢性前列腺炎患者随机分为治疗组（20例）及对照组（12例）,治疗组患者给予低能量级别冲击波治疗。对照组给予体外电场热疗。两组均每周治疗１次,连续治疗4次,4次为一疗程,两组患者分别于治疗前、治疗后4周进行NIH—CPSI评分,并对两组患者疗效进行比较。结果　治疗前2组患者的疼痛／不适评分、排尿评分、生活质量影响评分及NIH-CPSI总分组间均无统计学差异（P＞0.05）。两组治疗后疼痛／不适评分、排尿评分、生活质量影响评分及NIH-CPSI总分较治疗前差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。治疗组治疗后的疼痛／不适评分、排尿评分、生活质量影响评分及NIH-CPSI总分下降幅度明显高于对照组治疗后下降幅度（P＜0.05）。治疗组在治疗后的总有效率明显高于对照组（均P＜0.05）。结论　体外冲击波治疗慢性前列腺炎（IIIB）有较好的近期疗效,但其远期疗效有待进一步追踪观察。     

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy in treatment of epicondylitis humeri radialis. A current overview

In the past, extracorporeal shock-wave therapy (ESWT) has been used increasingly as a treatment for conservatively unsuccessfully treated radiohumeral epicondylitis. However, published reviews of clinical trials on the efficacy of ESWT have led to inconsistent results and are outdated or methodologically inadequate. As a consequence, a systematic literature search was conducted which yielded 20 relevant papers that described trials on the efficacy of ESWT in the treatment of radiohumeral epicondylitis. These were rated according to biometrical criteria for the conduct of therapeutic trials. None of the rated trials fulfilled all of the criteria, and it is concluded that the efficacy of ESWT in the treatment of epidondylitis can presently be neither confirmed nor excluded.     

改良Nirschl术清理带线锚钉重建桡侧腕短伸肌腱起点治疗顽固性网球肘的临床疗效

目的进行改良Nirschl术清理带线锚钉重建桡侧腕短伸肌腱（extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon,ECRB）起点与单纯改良Nirschl术清理ECRB起点治疗顽固性网球肘的临床疗效比较，探讨带线锚钉重建ECRB起点治疗顽固性网球肘的疗效性及必要性。 方法2013年3月至2016年5月，台州骨伤医院收治的顽固性网球肘患者45例，随机分为观察组和对照组，观察组23例，对照组22例。观察组患者于改良Nirschl术式下切开清理ECRB起点退行性变性肌腱后使用带线锚钉将ECRB重新固定于去除皮质的肱骨外上髁上重建起点，对照组患者于改良Nirschl术式下单纯切开清理ECRB起点退行性变性肌腱。观察比较两组术前及术后2、3、6、12个月的疼痛、握力、重返工作时间、Mayo肘关节功能评分、Verhaar评分。 结果45例患者均完成试验观察，术后切口均为Ⅰ期愈合。观察组术后（4.97±1.33）个月恢复原工作，与对照组术后（3.55±1.27）个月比较，差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。术后2、3个月Mayo肘关节功能评分观察组均低于对照组，差异有统计学意义（P<0.05），术后12个月Mayo肘关节功能评分观察组优于对照组，差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）；术后12个月两组视觉模拟评分（visual analogue score，VAS）差异有统计学意义（P<0.01）；术后2、3个月握力观察组均低于对照组，差异有统计学意义（P<0.05），术后6、12个月握力观察组均优于对照组，差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）；末次随访Verhaar评分观察组优于对照组，差异有统计学意义（P<0.05 ）。 结论进行改良Nirschl术清理带线锚钉重建ECRB起点治疗顽固性网球肘，手术操作简便，创伤小，将ECRB重新缝合于肱骨外上髁重建起点，恢复其临床解剖位置，使前臂伸肌力量得到最大限度恢复，能使患者恢复至正常的运动和生活水平。     

Mini-open Muscle Resection Procedure under Local Anesthesia for Lateral and Medial Epicondylitis

Background

This study examined the clinical results of surgical treatment using a mini-open muscle resection procedure under local anesthesia for intractable lateral or medial epicondylitis.

Methods

Forty two elbows (41 patients) were treated surgically for lateral or medial epicondylitis. The indication for surgery was refractory pain after six months of conservative treatment, or a history of more than three local injections of steroid, or severe functional impairment in the occupational activities. The treatment results were assessed in terms of the pain using the visual analogue scale (VAS), Roles & Maudsley score, and Nirschl & Pettrone grade.

Results

The preoperative VAS scores of pain were an average of 5.36 at rest, 6.44 at daily activities, and 8.2 at sports or occupational activities. After surgery, the VAS scores improved significantly (p < 0.01): 0.3 at rest, 1.46 at daily activities, and 2.21 at sports or occupational activities. The preoperative Roles & Maudsley score was acceptable in 6 cases, and poor in 36 cases, which was changed to excellent in 23 cases, good in 16 cases, acceptable in 3 cases after surgery. According to the grading system by Nirschl & Pettrone, 23 cases were excellent, 18 cases were good, and the remaining 1 case was fair. Overall, 41 cases (97.6%) achieved satisfactory results. Postoperative complications were encountered in three cases. Subcutaneous seroma due to the leakage of joint fluid in two patients was managed by additional surgery and suction drainage, and resulted in a satisfactory outcome. One patient complained of continuous pain on occupational activity, but her pain at rest was improved greatly.

Conclusions

The mini-open muscle resection procedure under local anesthesia appears to be one of effective methods for intractable lateral or medial epicondylitis.     

Use of Extracorporeal Shock Waves in the Treatment of Pseudarthrosis, Tendinopathy and Other Orthopedic Diseases

Purpose

The use of shock waves in orthopedic diseases was reviewed with special regard to the clinical applications.

Materials and Methods

Findings in the literature and results from our own studies were analyzed and summarized.

Results

Extracorporeal shock waves induced osteoneogenesis in animal models with intact and fractured bones. Based on these findings shock waves were used for the treatment of pseudarthrosis in humans. Most patients had at least 1 unsuccessful operation before shock wave therapy. Complete reunion was noted in 62 to 91% of cases and shock waves are recommended by some as the first choice of treatment for hypertrophic pseudarthrosis.After failed nonoperative therapy shock waves were used for the treatment of patients with various diseases as secondary treatment. The success rate for treatment of tendinopathies, such as tennis elbow, periarthritis humeroscapularis or calcaneal spur, was approximately 80%. For calcific tendinitis shock wave therapy seems to be superior to all other minimal or noninvasive techniques without compromising a potential later operation.

Conclusions

Shock waves have changed medical therapy substantially. According for the epidemiology of the treated diseases, this new change may equal or even surpass the impact of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.     

Comparison of results of results of medium energy ESWT and Mittelmeier surgical therapy in therapy refractory epicondylitis humeri radialis

INTRODUCTION: During the last years the extracorporal shock wave therapy has shown its efficiency in the treatment of the conservative non curable epicondylitis humeri radialis. This study evaluates the outcome of the ESWT and the operative treatment. METHODS: Between 1996 and 1997 60 patients suffering from lateral epicondylitis were analyzed. 30 were treated operative by using the Mittelmeier-procedure (tangential partial bone resection of the epicondylus humeri radialis) and further 30 with extracorporal shock waves. These patients received 2000 impulses of 0.23 mJ/mm2 in two sessions. RESULTS: Follow-up of the group who underwent the Mittelmeier procedure showed good and excellent results in 73% after one year using the score of Roles and Maudsley (1972). The patients treated by the ESWT showed good and excellent results in 43%. DISCUSSION: Regarding to the duration of symptoms and large scale of the primary treatment and operative hazards the results are showing the benefit of the medium energetic extracorporal shock wave application in the treatment of patients with no response on regular therapy.     

Shock wave therapy for chronic proximal plantar fasciitis

Three hundred two patients with chronic heel pain caused by proximal plantar fasciitis were enrolled in a study to assess the treatment effects consequent to administration of electrohydraulicall-generated extracorporeal shock waves. Symptoms had been present from 6 months to 18 years. Each treated patient satisfied numerous inclusion and exclusion criteria before he or she was accepted into this study, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a randomized, double-blind evaluation of the efficacy of shock wave therapy for this disorder. Overall, at the predetermined evaluation period 3 months after one treatment, 56% more of the treated patients had a successful result by all four of the evaluation criteria when compared with the patients treated with a placebo. This difference was significant and corroborated the fact that this difference in the results was specifically attributable to the shock wave treatment, rather than any natural improvement caused by the natural history of the condition. The current study showed that the directed application of electrohydraulic-generated shock waves to the insertion of the plantar fascia onto the calcaneus is a safe and effective nonsurgical method for treating chronic, recalcitrant heel pain syndrome that has been present for at least 6 months and has been refractory to other commonly used nonoperative therapies. This technology, when delivered using the OssaTron (High Medical Technology, Kreuz-lingen, Switzerland), has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration specifically for the treatment of chronic proximal plantar fasciitis. The results suggest that this therapeutic modality should be considered before any surgical options, and even may be preferable to cortisone injection, which has a recognized risk of rupture of the plantar fascia and recurrence of symptoms.     

Effekt extrakorporaler Stoßwellentherapien (ESWT) am Stütz- und Bewegungsapparat

In the past, the only scientifically recognized therapy procedure for which extracorporeal shock waves were applied was the demolition of kidney stones. As a result of the disintegrative effect of the shock waves on kidney stones side effects that were seen as undesirable in the context of kidney stone lithotripsy drew attention to the possibility of applications in orthopaedic surgery. At first the main focus of attention was on the treatment of nonunions. Meanwhile, particularly in light of the results of prospective and in some cases randomized studies aimed at expanding the areas of application within orthopaedic surgery, attention has also been extended to the treatment of calcificated tendinosis and enthesiopathies. Shock wave therapy exploits the physical principle according to which energy-rich sound waves (shock waves penetrating into the region where two media border on each other) of different densities and with different sound transmission properties release mechanical energy. The shock waves are generated under water by various technical means, acoustically bundled with the aid of different focusing systems and, after passage through the preliminary water span, fed over a flexible membrane into the patient’s body, where they develop their effects in the therapeutic focus. For wider use it will be necessary for the devices, indications and modalities of application to be standardized. Reproduction of the published treatment achievements cannot be expected with all shock wave devices, especially as the effective shock wave focus of the different instruments varies in form, dilatation and, particularly, energy flow density. Moreover, the various orientation systems do not always allow precise dilatation of the shock waves to suit the target object. Further prospective, randomized, and controlled in vitro and in vivo studies are necessary to determine the limits of this technique and the possibilities it offers.     

Application of extracorporeal shock-waves in the treatment of pseudarthrosis of the lower extremity

Between January 1991 and January 1996, pseudarthroses of the legs were treated prospectively in 48 patients by application of high-energy extracorporeal shock waves with an experimental device. The mean duration of pseudarthrosis was 12 months. On average, 2.4 surgical interventions had previously been performed. A total of 3000 impulses with an energy density of 0.6 mJ/mm² was applied to the pseudarthrosis. Bony union was achieved in 60.4% of our patients after an average of 3.4 months. Failures were found especially in the atrophic types of pseudarthrosis as well as in congenital bone disorders like fibrous dysplasia or osteogenesis imperfecta. No serious complications were observed. Even after numerous surgical interventions high-energy extracorporeal shock-wave therapy showed a fair success rate. A higher success rate of this non-invasive method for the treatment of bony non-unions may be expected by applying strict selection criteria.