Does ultrasound guided steroid injection alter the outcome of refractory tennis and golfers elbows

IntroductionTennis and Golfers elbows (TE, GE) are difficult conditions to treat. Ultrasound guided steroid injection (UGSI) is one of the treatment modalities in treating refractory TE and GE. We present our clinical experience and short to mid-term results of patients with TE and GE treated with UGSI.MethodsPatients with persistent TE and GE treated with UGSI (Marcaine and kenalog) at a tertiary centre between 2007 and 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Mean follow up was 4 months (Range 2–21 months). Patients were assessed for pain relief, recurrence of symptoms and surgical release.ResultsUSGI was performed on 181 elbows (144 patients). There were 68 male and 76 female patients. Mean age 49.5 years (range 17–82).At the time of UGSI, chronic features of TE were established in 144 elbows and signs of GE were identified in 37 elbows.At the review clinic, 155 (86%) elbows were reported to be completely pain free, 10 (5%) elbows experienced no improvement and 16 (9%) elbows encountered residual symptoms.H...