Occult Periarthrosis of the Shoulder

Factors Associated With Lateral Epicondylitis of the Elbow

Background:

Metabolic factors have been linked to tendinopathies, yet few studies have investigated the association between metabolic factors and lateral epicondylitis.

Purpose:

To evaluate risk factors for lateral epicondylitis, including several metabolic factors.

Study Design:

Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

We evaluated 1 elbow in each of 937 volunteers from a rural region that employs many agricultural laborers. Each participant received a questionnaire, physical examinations, blood tests, simple radiographic evaluations of both elbows, magnetic resonance imaging of bilateral shoulders, and an electrophysiological study of bilateral upper extremities. Lateral epicondylitis was diagnosed using 3 criteria: (1) pain at the lateral aspect of the elbow, (2) point tenderness over the lateral epicondyle, and (3) pain during resistive wrist dorsiflexion with the elbow in full extension. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs for various demographic, physical, and social factors, including age, sex, waist circumference, dominant-side involvement, smoking habit, alcohol intake, and participation in manual labor; the comorbidities of diabetes, hypertension, thyroid dysfunction, metabolic syndrome, ipsilateral biceps tendon injury, ipsilateral rotator cuff tear, and ipsilateral carpal tunnel syndrome; and the serologic parameters of serum lipid profile, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, level of thyroid hormone, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.

Results:

The prevalence of lateral epicondylitis was 26.1% (245/937 participants). According to the multivariable logistic regression analysis, female sex (OR, 2.47; 95% CI, 1.78-3.43), dominant-side involvement (OR, 3.21; 95% CI, 2.24-4.60), manual labor (OR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.48-3.43), and ipsilateral rotator cuff tear (OR, 2.77; 95% CI, 1.96-3.91) were significantly associated with lateral epicondylitis (P < .001 for all). No metabolic factors were significantly associated with lateral epicondylitis.

Conclusion:

Female sex, dominant-side involvement, manual labor, and ipsilateral rotator cuff tear were found to be risk factors for lateral epicondylitis. The study results suggest that overuse activity is more strongly associated with lateral epicondylitis than are metabolic factors.

Open Versus Arthroscopic Treatment of Chronic Lateral Epicondylitis and Worker's Compensation

Purpose

To compare the short-term outcomes between arthroscopic and open procedures for the treatment of lateral epicondylitis. Because a significant portion of patients have worker’s compensation (WC), the outcomes in these subgroups were separately analyzed.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of patients who had surgical treatment of lateral epicondylitis by a single surgeon from 2010 to 2017 was performed. Patients who were symptomatic after 9 months of conservative treatments including nonsteroidal medications, steroid injections, and physical therapy were offered surgical intervention. The type of surgery was selected after detailed consultation with the patient. Charts were reviewed for preoperative pain, grip strength as measured by dynamometer, smoking status, and WC status. Postoperative assessments included pain and grip strength at 6 weeks and time taken to return to full duty. Two groups were compared using unpaired t test and chi-squared tests. Results were compared with similar studies in the literature.

Results

The study included 30 patients in the arthroscopic debridement group and 42 patients in the open tenotomy and reinsertion group. Eighteen patients (25%) had WC. Compared with the open group, the arthroscopic group had earlier return to full duty (mean 7.13 weeks, confidence interval [CI] 6.21 to 8.05 versu mean of 12.22 weeks, CI 11.21 to 13.24; P < .001) and less time for complete pain relief (mean 7.4 weeks, CI 7.02 to 7.93 versus 9.5 , CI 8.68 to 10.44; P = .043). No difference was seen among the groups in terms of unfavorable outcome (persistent pain and recurrence of pain), JAMAR hand dynamometer score at 6 weeks, and visual analog score at 6 weeks. A total of 11 patients (15%) had unfavorable outcome. Incidence of unfavorable outcomes was more in patients with WC insurance (36% in WC versus 7% in non-WC; P = .023). No association was seen with smoking status. WC patients also had a longer time to return to full duty (16.68 weeks for WC versus 7.65 weeks for non-WC; P < .001) and a longer time to get complete pain relief (12.4 weeks for WC versus 7.5 weeks for non-WC; P < .001).

Conclusion

The arthroscopic technique offers advantages of earlier return to work and shorter recovery period along with additional advantages of joint inspection and ability to treat coexisting pathologies. WC patients had a longer time to return to full duty and time for complete pain relief.

Level of Evidence

Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Comorbidities in rotator cuff disease: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

Rotator cuff disease is a common condition in the general population, but relatively little is known about its associated risk factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We have undertaken a large case-control study using The Health Improvement Network database to assess and to quantify the relative contributions of some constitutional and environmental risk factors for rotator cuff disease in the community. Our data set included 5000 patients with rotator cuff disease who were individually matched with a single control by age, sex, and general practice (primary care practice).

RESULTS

The median age at diagnosis was 55 years (interquartile range, 44-65 years). Multivariate analysis showed that the risk factors associated with rotator cuff disease were Achilles tendinitis (odds ratio [OR] = 1.78), trigger finger (OR = 1.99), lateral epicondylitis (OR = 1.71), and carpal tunnel syndrome (OR = 1.55). Oral corticosteroid therapy (OR = 2.03), oral antidiabetic use (OR = 1.66), insulin use (OR = 1.77), and "overweight" body mass index of 25.1 to 30 (OR = 1.15) were also significantly associated. Current or previous smoking history, body mass index of greater than 30, any alcohol intake, medial epicondylitis, de Quervain syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis were not found to be associated with rotator cuff disease.

CONCLUSIONS

We have identified a number of comorbidities and risk factors for rotator cuff disease. These include lateral epicondylitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, Achilles tendinitis, oral corticosteroid use, and diabetes mellitus. The findings should alert the clinician to comorbid pathologic processes and guide future research into the etiology of this condition.

Risk factors in lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow): a case-control study

Lateral epicondylitis is a common condition, but relatively little is known about its aetiology and associated risk factors. We have undertaken a large case-control study using The Health Improvement Network database to assess and quantify the relative contributions of some constitutional and environmental risk factors for lateral epicondylitis in the community. Our dataset included 4998 patients with lateral epicondylitis who were individually matched with a single control by age, sex, and general practice. The median age at diagnosis was 49 (interquartile range 42-56) years . Multivariate analysis showed that the risk factors associated with lateral epicondylitis were rotator cuff pathology (OR 4.95), De Quervain's disease (OR 2.48), carpal tunnel syndrome (OR 1.50), oral corticosteroid therapy (OR 1.68), and previous smoking history (OR 1.20). Diabetes mellitus, current smoking, trigger finger, rheumatoid arthritis, alcohol intake, and obesity were not found to be associated with lateral epicondylitis.

Management of lateral epicondylitis: current concepts

Lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, is a common cause of elbow pain in the general population. Traditionally, lateral epicondylitis has been attributed to degeneration of the extensor carpi radialis brevis origin, although the underlying collateral ligamentous complex and joint capsule also have been implicated. Nonsurgical treatment, the mainstay of management, involves a myriad of options, including rest, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, cortisone, blood and botulinum toxin injections, supportive forearm bracing, and local modalities. For patients with recalcitrant disease, the traditional open débridement technique has been modified by multiple surgeons, with others relying on arthroscopic or even percutaneous procedures. Without a standard protocol (nonsurgical or surgical), surgeons need to keep abreast of established and evolving treatment options to effectively treat patients with lateral epicondylitis.

Lateral epicondylitis: review and current concepts

Lateral epicondylitis is a painful and functionally limiting entity affecting the upper extremity and is frequently treated by hand surgeons. The anatomic basis of the injury to the extensor carpi radialis brevis origin appears to be multifaceted, involving hypovascular zones, eccentric tendon stresses, and a microscopic degenerative response. Although many treatments have been advocated, there is little clear consensus on which modality works best, for both conservative and operative options. In this article, we present an overview of this difficult problem and an evidence-based review of treatment choices.