Lateral epicondylitis is a common cause of lateral elbow pain, often associated with tendinopathy of the extensor carpi radialis brevis and myofascial trigger points in the wrist extensor muscles. Ultrasound guidance has improved the safety and precision of interventional treatments in this anatomically complex region. In this report, we describe a novel ultrasound-guided dry needling technique that enables simultaneous targeting of the extensor carpi radialis longus, brevis, and extensor digitorum communis muscles through a single needle insertion. A patient with chronic lateral elbow pain unresponsive to conservative treatment underwent the procedure. The technique was well tolerated and resulted in short-term pain reduction and functional improvement without complications. This approach may offer a safe, efficient, and patient-friendly minimally invasive option for the management of chronic lateral epicondylitis.
Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dry needling (DN) applied to the abductor hallucis (ABH) muscle on pain function and angle in patients with hallux valgus (HV). Methods: The study included 31 HV patients. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. The first group received toe-spread-out (TSO) exercise. The second group received three sessions of DN for myofascial trigger points in the ABH muscle in addition to TSO exercise. Visual analog scale (VAS) (rest, activity) and foot function index (FFI) (pain, disability, activity) were used for clinical evaluation. Hallux valgus angle (HVA) and intermetatarsal angle (HVA) were measured. The evaluations were performed at baseline and at the first and fourth weeks following treatment. Results: VAS-rest baseline–fourth week and baseline–first week changes were significantly superior in the TSO-plus-DN group compared to the TSO group (p = 0.023, p = 0.039, respectively). FFI-disability baseline–fourth week change was significantly superior in the TSO-plus-DN group compared to the TSO group (p = 0.040). HVA and IMA baseline–fourth week changes were significantly superior in the TSO-plus-DN group compared to the TSO group (p = 0.001, p = 0.045, respectively). Conclusions: According to our findings, the combination of DN for the ABH muscle with TSO exercise may be recommended for the treatment of patients with mild-to-moderate HV.
23 October 2024 in The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery