The objective diagnosis of early tennis elbow by magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

The CEO is confirmed as the primary site of MRI changes in tennis elbow. Oedema was commonly found in asymptomatic elbows, necessitating the presence of thickening or tears in the CEO tendon to objectively diagnose tennis elbow on MRI.

Elbow Tendinopathy and Tendon Ruptures: Epicondylitis, Biceps and Triceps Ruptures

“…In 23 symptomatic elbows, the common extensor origin showed signs of edema in 23, thickening in 19, peritendon edema in 3, and tears in 13 cases. 3 These findings confirmed the common extensor origin as the primary site of MRI changes in lateral epicondylitis. However, edema was also commonly found in asymptomatic elbows (6 of 17), necessitating the presence of thickening or tears in the common extensor origin to objectively diagnose lateral epicondylitis on MRI.…”

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Signal Abnormalities in Enthesopathy of the Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus Origin

“…Martin and Schweitzer 7 and Savnik and colleagues 12 performed a study similar to ours, and Mackay and colleagues 13 and Steinborn and colleagues 6 compared symptomatic with asymptomatic elbows in patients with lateral elbow pain. None of those studies noted abnormalities of the LCL, and 2 studies noted a comparable number of patients diagnosed with defects among case and control elbows with enthesopathy of the ECRB origin.…”

“…Because the diagnosis of enthesopathy of the ECRB is straightforward, and MRI is rarely used for diagnosis, we speculate, based on our knowledge of the practices of some surgeons, that MRI is obtained and the findings used primarily to plan and justify surgical treatment. 5,[11][12][13] Because in this context interpretation of the MRI as demonstrating LCL abnormalities might lead to a more extensive and therefore more risky surgery, such as a ligament reconstruction, it is important to have a better understanding of these signal abnormalities.…”

Lateral Epicondylitis: Review and Current Concepts

“…21,22 Edema of the common extensor origin was reported by Mackay et al to be present in 100% of the 23 symptomatic elbows tested, as well as in 35% of the 17 asymptomatic contralateral elbows examined. 23 Although MRI is generally not necessary for diagnosis of most cases of lateral epicondylitis, it may prove to be a valuable tool in preoperative planning and appreciation of the full extent of disease.…”