Chronic Intractable Calcific Lateral Epicondylopathy Treated with Ultrasound-Guided Barbotage Combined with Extracorporeal Shock-Wave Therapy

Lateral epicondylopathy represents pain in the lateral (radial aspect) of the elbow caused by degeneration in the common extensor tendon. Calcium deposit frequently developes in lateral epicondylopathy, with the prevalence up to 46%. There are considerable debates on its treatment protocols for lateral epicondylopathy so far, likewise, the effective treatment method for calcific lateral epicondylopathy has not been established. We report here a case of chronic intractable calcific lateral epicondylopathy treated with ultrasound-guided barbotage and focused type extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT). To our knowledge, this is the first report of calcific lateral epicondylopathy treated by ultrasound-guided barbotage combined with ESWT.

Comparison of two different arthroscopic techniques for long head of biceps tendinitis / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To compare clinical efficacy of arthroscopic tenodesis and tenotomy in treating biceps long head tendinitis.@*METHODS@#From January 2015 to January 2017, 40 patients with long head of the biceps tendinitis were randomly divided into tenotomy group (18 patients) and tenodesis group(22 patients). In tenotomy group, there were 6 males and 12 females with an average age of (62.2±6.1) yeas old, and the average course of disease was (8.5±2.2) months; while in tenodesis group, there were 8 males and 14 females with an average age of(60.5±6.3) years old, and the average course of disease was (8.1±2.3) months. Operative time and deformity of Popeye were compared between two groups, VAS score was used to evaluate degree of pain, and UCLA score was used to assess clinical effects before operation, 3, 6 and 12 months after operation.@*RESULTS@#Forty patients were followed up for 12 to 17 months with an average of(14.3±2.1) months. Eight patients occurred Popeye deformity in tenotomy group, and nobody in tenodesis group. There was significant difference between tenotomy group(40.55±7.51) min and tenodesis group(75.33±9.45) min. VAS score after operation at 3, 6 and 12 months were decreased than that of before operation, and VAS score in tenotomy group was lower than that of in tenodesis group at 3 months after operation(0.05). UCLA score at at 3, 6 and 12 months after operation in tenodesis group were increased than that of before operation, and UCLA score in tenotomy group was lower than that of in tenodesis group at 3 months after operation(0.05). According to UCLA score, 5 got excellent results, 10 moderate and 3 poor in tenotomy group, while 8 got excellent results, 12 moderate and 2 poor in tenodesis group, but without difference between two groups(χ² =0.057, =0.81).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Both of arthroscopic tenotomy and tenodesis in treating long head of the biceps tendinitis could receive good clinical effects, and early functional outcomes by arthroscopic tenotomy was better than that of tenodesis, but no difference in later period.

What Is the Most Effective Eccentric Stretching Position in Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy?

BACKGROUND: A variety of treatment options suggest that the optimal treatment strategy for lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET) is not known, and further research is needed to discover the most effective treatment for LET. The purpose of the present study was to verify the most effective position of eccentric stretching for the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) in vivo using ultrasonic shear wave elastography. METHODS: A total of 20 healthy males participated in this study. Resting position was defined as 90° elbow flexion and neutral position of the forearm and wrist. Elongation of the ECRB was measured for four stretching maneuvers (forearm supination/pronation and wrist extension/flexion) at two elbow angles (90° flexion and full extension). The shear elastic modulus, used as the index of muscle elongation, was computed using ultrasonic shear wave elastography for the eight aforementioned stretching maneuverangle combinations. RESULTS: The shear elastic modulus was the highest in elbow extension, forearm pronation, and wrist flexion. The shear elastic moduli of wrist flexion with any forearm and elbow position were significantly higher than the resting position. There was no significant difference associated with elbow and forearm positions except for elbow extension, forearm pronation, and wrist flexion positions. CONCLUSIONS: This study determined that elbow extension, forearm pronation, and wrist flexion was the most effective eccentric stretching for the ECRB in vivo.