Essay On Lateral Epicondylitis

Lateral epicondylitis, also known as “tennis elbow,” is a degenerative condition involving injury to the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) and occasionally, the extensor digitorum communis muscle (EDC). “Many etiologies have been proposed, including overexertion or sudden forceful extension. Ultimately, it is the accumulation of micro tears between the tendon origin of ECRB and the periosteum of the lateral epicondyle that leads to the clinical signs and symptoms (Ford, Schmitt, Lineberry, & Luce, 2015, p.285-286).”
Histological analysis shows that epicondylitis is not so much an acute inflammatory process but chronic elbow tendinosis, as very few inflammatory cells have been found on surgical pathology specimens (Ford et al., 2015). Because of this chronic etiology, lateral epicondylitis is often referred to as lateral elbow tendinosis. Once a diagnosis is made, “initial treatment usually consists of activity modification, counter force
(2015, p.291) study concluded that, “following intervention, both groups reported similar pain improvement (89.3% APRP, 84% surgical) and percent pain reduction (61.1% APRP, 55% surgical).” In addition, 82% of patients in both groups returned to full work status without restrictions. Of the 78 patients in the study, two patients failed APRP therapy and three patients failed surgical intervention. Statistically, it showed no significant difference in failure rate of either procedure at final follow-up (Ford et al., 2015). Moreover, while results showed that APRP injections might not be significantly superior to surgical release, it might be a reasonable alternative to surgical intervention (Ford et al., 2015). And with comparable evidence in pain dissolution, symptom relief, and return to full work status, it’s an option that warrants further thought, especially since APRP injections can reduce the risks involved with surgery, anesthesia, and recovery, just to name a few (Ford et al.,