Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Radial Neuropathy in Patients with Lateral Epicondylitis and its Correlation with Pain and Functional Outcome Before and After Corticosteroid Injection into the Extensor Tendon

Lateral epicondylitis is a common painful condition around the elbow which continues to perplex both the patient and practitioner due to inconsistent treatment options and outcomes. Although many non-operative and surgical options exist, there remains a general lack of consensus regarding optimal treatment. Corticosteroids are commonly used to treat lateral epicondylitis,however, the way in which they work is currently unknown. Findings of this study will evaluate the effect of steroid with conservative treatment on pain and functional outcome. Ultrasonographic evaluation of the radial nerve may support previous literature that some of the chronic complaints of these patients might actually be due to radial nerve entrapment. The hypothesis of the study is as follows : Single dose of ultrasound guided corticosteroid injection in the extensor tendon and conservative treatment shows no change on ultrasonographic measurement of the cross-sectional area of the radial nerve at the elbow and in the spiral groove in patients with lateral epiconylitis.