Can Ultrasound Findings Predict Tendon Healing in the Elbow?
Tennis elbow, also known as lateral elbow tendinopathy can be very hard to predict. Physical therapy often helps reduce painful symptoms, improve motion, and restore function. But after months of therapy, some patients may still need surgery. On the other hand, some people heal up nicely on their own and don’t need rehab or surgery. Is there some way to predict in advance who needs what? In this study, orthopedic surgeons and radiologists team up to explore the usefulness of ultrasound studies in tennis elbow. They started out with a hypothesis that there are sonographic predictors of prognosis for tennis elbow. Their approach was to test patients using the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) to assess pain, function, and disability. At the same time, each patient had an ultrasound study done of the elbow. Six months later, the same tests were given. Treatment with a physical therapist was provided during the six months between tests. The focus of conservative (nonoperative)
