Tennis elbow, medically known as lateral epicondylitis, is a common condition characterized by pain on the outer part of the elbow, often resulting from overuse of the forearm muscles. Traditionally, treatments have ranged from rest and physical therapy to corticosteroid injections. However, recent clinical studies have introduced a promising minimally invasive technique: percutaneous pie crusting combined with corticosteroid therapy.
Understanding Percutaneous Pie Crusting
Percutaneous pie crusting involves making small punctures in the tendon to relieve tension and promote healing. When combined with corticosteroid injections, which reduce inflammation, this technique offers a dual approach to treating tennis elbow.
Clinical Evidence Supporting the Combined Approach
A prospective case-control study conducted between January 2020 and May 2022 evaluated 236 patients with lateral epicondylitis. The patients were divided into two groups:
- Group A: Received only corticosteroid injections.
- Group B: Received both corticosteroid injections and percutaneous pie crusting.
Findings:
- Both groups showed improvement, but Group B experienced significantly better outcomes in terms of pain relief and functional recovery.
- Group B returned to daily activities faster (average of 6.2 weeks) compared to Group A (average of 7.18 weeks).
These results suggest that the combined approach is more effective than corticosteroid injections alone.
Benefits of the Combined Technique
- Enhanced Pain Relief: The dual approach addresses both inflammation and mechanical stress on the tendon.
- Faster Recovery: Patients can return to their daily routines more quickly.
- Minimally Invasive: The procedure is less invasive than traditional surgical methods, reducing the risk of complications.
For more information on this innovative treatment, you can refer to the detailed study published in the Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow journal: https://cisejournal.org/journal/view.php?doi=10.5397/cise.2022.01375
Expert Orthopaedic Care in Mumbai
For those seeking advanced treatment for tennis elbow, Dr. Amyn Rajani, a renowned orthopaedic doctor in Mumbai, offers this innovative procedure. As a leading shoulder specialist in Mumbai, Dr. Rajani combines expertise with state-of-the-art techniques to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
