Pain relief after intratendinous injections in patients with tennis elbow: results of a randomised study.
BACKGROUND
"Tennis elbow" is a difficult condition to treat. Ultrasonography (US) and colour Doppler (CD) guided injections with polidocanol targeting the area with increased blood flow in the extensor origin have shown promising clinical results.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate and compare effects of US and CD guided intratendinous injections with sclerosing polidocanol and a local anaesthetic (lidocaine + epinephrine), in patients with tennis elbow.


METHODS
Prospective, randomised, controlled, double-blind, crossover study.


METHODS
Sports Medicine Unit, Umeå University.


METHODS
32 patients (36 elbows), age range 27 to 66 years, with a long duration of elbow pain diagnosed as tennis elbow, were included in the study. All patients were followed up 3 and 12 months after treatment. Two patients were excluded due to other interventions during the study.


METHODS
One US and CD guided injection with the sclerosing agent polidocanol (group 1) or the local anaesthetic lidocaine plus epinephrine (group 2). At the 3 month follow-up, additional injections with polidocanol were offered to both groups (crossover for group 2).


METHODS
Satisfaction with treatment (Yes/No), elbow pain during activity (visual analogue scale), and maximum voluntary grip strength.


RESULTS
There were no significant (p<0.05) differences in the outcome between group 1 and group 2. In both groups, there was a significantly lower VAS at the 3-month and 12-month follow-ups, and grip strength was significantly higher at the 12-month follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
US and CD guided intratendinous injections gave pain relief in patients with tennis elbow. Polidocanol and lidocaine plus epinephrine injections gave similar results.
Zeisig
E
E
Sports Medicine Unit, Department of Surgical and Perioperative Science, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden. eva.zeisig@vll.se
Fahlström
M
M
Ohberg
L
L
Alfredson
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013716:Tennis Elbow / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D008012:Lidocaine; D004837:Epinephrine