Associations Between Partial Common Extensor Tendon Tears and Clinical-Ultrasonographic Findings in Patients with Lateral Epicondylitis

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OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the effect of partial common extensor tendon tears on demographic, clinical and ultrasound parameters in patients with lateral epicondylitis. The research aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of how these ultrasound-detected partial tears influence the clinical presentation and imaging findings associated with lateral epicondylitis. DESIGN: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study. Records of 227 patients with lateral epicondylitis met the inclusion-exclusion criteria were reviewed. The patient-rated tennis elbow evaluation questionnaire was used as the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures were visual analog scale for pain, algometric measurements, hand grip strength, and ultrasound parameters (maximum tendon thickness measurements from the capitellar-radiocapitellar sides and presence of bone abnormalities). RESULTS: Partial common extensor tendon tears detected using ultrasound were present in 22.7% ( n = 54) of the patients. Patients with partial common extensor tendon tears were older (50,31 ± 9,22), had higher patient-rated tennis elbow evaluation scores (65,48 ± 12,76), capitellar-radiocapitellar maximum tendon thickness measurements (0,60 ± 0,80/0,60 ± 0,72), and incidence of bone abnormalities (40.7%, n = 32) ( P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis identified age and patient-rated tennis elbow evaluation pain score as associative factors with partial common extensor tendon tears. Capitellar-radiocapitellar maximum tendon thickness measurements greater than 0.55 cm were associated with an increased probability of partial common extensor tendon tears. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-detected partial common extensor tendon tears may worsen the clinical and ultrasound parameters in patients with lateral epicondylitis. Older age, higher patient-rated tennis elbow evaluation scores, and higher maximum tendon thickness measurements were associated with partial common extensor tendon tears.