Litigants' epicondylitis

ICON 2020-International Scientific Tendinopathy Symposium Consensus: A Scoping Review of Psychological and Psychosocial Constructs and Outcome Measures Reported in Tendinopathy Clinical Trials

OBJECTIVE

To identify and describe the psychological and psychosocial constructs and outcome measures used in tendinopathy research.

DESIGN

Scoping review.

LITERATURE SEARCH

We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, PEDro, CINAHL, and APA PsychNet databases on July 10, 2021, for all published studies of tendinopathy populations measuring psychological and psychosocial factors.

STUDY SELECTION

Studies using a clinical diagnosis of tendinopathy or synonyms (eg, jumper's knee or subacromial impingement) with or without imaging confirmation.

DATA SYNTHESIS

We described the volume, nature, distribution, and characteristics of psychological and psychosocial outcomes reported in the tendinopathy field.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine constructs were identified, including 16 psychological and 13 psychosocial constructs. The most frequently-reported constructs were work-related outcomes (32%), quality of life (31%), depression (30%), anxiety (18%), and fear (14%). Outcome measures consisted of validated and nonvalidated questionnaires and 1-item custom questions (including demographics). The number of different outcome measures used to assess an individual construct ranged between 1 (emotional distress) and 11 (quality of life) per construct.

CONCLUSION

There was a large variability in constructs and outcome measures reported in tendinopathy research, which limits conclusions about the relationship between psychological and psychosocial constructs, outcome measures, and tendinopathies. Given the wide range of psychological and psychosocial constructs reported, there is an urgent need to develop a core outcome set in tendinopathy. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2022;52(6):375-388. doi:10.2519/jospt.2022.11005.

Functional outcome of arthroscopic extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon release in chronic lateral epicondylitis

PURPOSE

To evaluate outcomes of arthroscopic tennis elbow release in a population of patients with chronic, recalcitrant symptoms, a large number of workers' compensation claims, and high occupational demands using standardized outcome measures, including a detailed objective assessment of workplace demands.

METHODS

We treated 36 patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis with an arthroscopic release. A standardized protocol was used to measure strength, motion, and outcomes (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Elbow [ASES-e] score, Short Form-12, Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow evaluation [PRTEE], and Work Limitations Questionnaire-26).

RESULTS

The mean duration of symptoms before surgery was 30 months. A total of 25 of 36 patients were employed in heavy or repetitive occupations and 23 of 36 were involved in a workers' compensation claim. The final overall results were favorable, with 30 of 36 subjects reporting improvement with surgery. The final mean Mayo Elbow Performance Index score was 78.6 +/- 16.5 (22 = good to excellent, 9 = fair, and 5 = poor). The average total PRTEE was 26.2 +/- 24.3 out of 100. The average ASES-e pain score was 16.1 +/- 15.0 and the average ASES-e function score was 27.9 +/- 8.8. Patients in heavy or repetitive occupations and those with workers' compensation claims had significantly worse outcome scores (Mayo Elbow Performance Index, ASES, and PRTEE). Based on Work Limitations Questionnaire-26 scores, patients with workers' compensation claims had significantly greater difficulties with physical (36.8 vs 3.2, p < .001), output (40.8 vs 3.1, p = .002), mental (36.0 vs 9.0, p = .05), and social (27.7 vs 6.3, p = .05) workplace demands.

CONCLUSIONS

Arthroscopic tennis elbow release provides symptomatic improvement in most patients with lateral epicondylitis. Patient selection and reported occupational demands have an important role in determining outcomes. More work is required to identify factors predicting outcome in this difficult subgroup.