Efficacy of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Lateral Epicondylitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is a common elbow problem. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) was widely used in the treatment of LE and has been shown to relieve the pain and functional impairment (loss of grip strength) caused by tennis elbow. However, the evidence with regard to whether ESWT has better clinical efficacy over other method is not clear. The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of ESWT with other techniques in the treatment of LE. METHODS: Literature searches of PubMed, OVID, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched up to 30th June, 2019. Only RCTs comparing ESWT with other methods for LE were included. Data collection and extraction, quality assessment, and data analyses were performed according to the Cochrane standards. RESULTS: A total of 13 articles with 1035 patients were included. Of which, 501 underwent ESWT and 534 underwent other methods. The result of meta-analysis showed that pooled VAS (P = 0.0004) and grip strength (P < 0.00001) were better in the ESWT group. CONCLUSION: Based on the existing clinical evidence, extracorporeal shock wave therapy can effectively relieve the pain and functional impairment (loss of grip strength) caused by tennis elbow, with better overall safety than several other methods. However, owing to the limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high-quality RCTs are needed to support the trend towards better functional outcomes with ESWT.

[Open reduction and internal and external fixation combined with anchor repair of intercarpal ligament for the treatment of peripheral injury of lunate bone].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of internal and external fixation after open reduction combined with suture anchors to repair the intercarpal ligaments for the treatment of perilunate injury, and to explore its operative techniques and therapeutic efficacy. METHODS: From September 2012 to September 2016, 11 patients with perilunate injury were surgically treated with Kirschner wires in intercarpal articulations, 3.0 mm cannulated screws for scaphoid fracture, absorbable anchor for intercarpal ligament repair, together with fixators at intercarpal joints, among whom 6 suffered from perilunate dislocations and 5 from trans-scaphoid fracture dislocations. There were 7 males and 4 females with an average age of 43.6 years old ranging from 29 to 68 years old. Scapho-lunate angle, radio-lunate angle, index of carpal height and ROM of the wrist were observed. RESULTS: All wounds were healed at stage I. All patients were followed up from 12 to 24 months. The height of the carpal was maintained well with a mean scapho-lunate angle of 51°(35° to 65°), mean radio-lunate angle of 7°(-10° to 15°), and mean index of carpal height being 0.51(0.50 to 0.53), 5 patients of scaphoid fracture obtained bone union. Necrosis of lunate and scaphoid was not observed. The ROM of the wrist averages about 91.5°. The grip strength was recovered and amounted to 78.5% of that of the contralateral side. Among them, 6 cases reported no feeling of pain, 3 mild feeling of pain, and 2 medium level of pain. According to Cooney wrist score, 8 cases were considered excellent, 2 good and 1 fair. CONCLUSIONS: The wrist functions can be obtained satisfactorily by intervening in the early stage through internal and external fixation after open reduction combined with suture anchors to repair intercarpal ligaments for the treatment of perilunate injury. It has advantages of shorter operation time, smaller invasive trauma, less blood loss and etc. Therefore, this technique is safe and practicable, yielding satisfying clinic effects.

[Minimally invasive internal fixation of pelvic ring for type C pelvic fracture].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of minimally invasive internal fixation of pelvic anterior and posterior ring for the treatment of type C pelvic fracture, and to explore its operative techniques and therapeutic efficacy. METHODS: From December 2010 to December 2015, 18 patients with type C pelvic fracture were treated by reconstructive plates fixation through minimally invasive ilioinguinal approach for pelvic anterior ring injuries, and by invasive percutaneous sacroiliac joint screw fixation for pelvic posterior ring injuries. There were 11 males and 7 females ranging from 29 to 68 years old with an average age of 43.6 years old. According to Tile classification, there were 14 cases of type C1, 3 cases of type C2, 1 case of Type C3. To be specific, 12 cases with hemi-fracture of rami ossa pubis accompanied with fracture of the sacrum, 2 cases with hemi-fracture of rami ossa pubis accompanied with sacro-iliac joint dislocation, 3 cases with bilateral-fracture of rami ossa pubis combined with pubic symphysis separation accompanied with single-fracture of the sacrum, 1 case with bilateral-fracture of rami ossa pubis combined with bilateral-fracture of sacro-iliac joint were included. Operation time, intra-operative blood loss, injuries of lumbosacral nerves and iliac blood vessels, and fracture reduction were observed. RESULTS: All wounds were primary healing. No complications such as infection, deep venous thrombosis, injuries of lumbosacral nerves and iliaca vessels or heterotopic ossification occurred. According to Matta criterion of fracture reduction, 14 cases got excellent results, 3 good and 1 fair. Sixteen patients were followed up in a period varying from 6 to 33 months with 16.7 months on average. And according to functional score of Majeed, 13 cases obtained excellent results, 2 good and 1 fair, with an average score of 92.13±5.44. CONCLUSIONS: Internal fixation with reconstructive plates through the ilioinguinal approach and with percutaneous iliosacral screw for type C pelvic facture on pelvic anterior ring and pelvic posterior ring respectively have advantages of shorter operation time, smaller invasive trauma, less blood loss and etc. Thus, this technique is safe and practicable, yielding satisfying results.