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The posterolateral plica: a cause of refractory lateral elbow pain.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Ruch, DS; Papadonikolakis, A; Campolattaro, RM
Published in: J Shoulder Elbow Surg
2006

Lateral epicondylitis is one of the most common upper extremity pain syndromes. We report the results of patients in whom conservative treatment was unsuccessful and who were finally treated arthroscopically for symptomatic plicae. Ten patients (mean age, 40 years [range, 18-60 years]) who were misdiagnosed as having lateral epicondylitis were included in this study. Examination revealed the site of maximal tenderness to be posterior to the lateral epicondyle and centered at the posterior radiocapitellar joint. Preoperatively, all patients received conservative treatment (physical therapy or corticosteroid injections [or both]). The mean follow-up was 25 months (range, 6-68 months). The mean score on the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire was 9 (range, 0-37). Preoperatively, 7 patients had full elbow range of motion; however, in 3 patients, there was a loss of extension at the elbow ranging from 7 degrees to 20 degrees preoperatively. The range of elbow motion was full in all patients postoperatively. No patient demonstrated posterolateral pain after the operation. Synovial plicae of the elbow may be the cause of lateral elbow pain in patients with vague clinical symptoms. Arthroscopic management may provide a successful treatment option for such patients.

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Published In

J Shoulder Elbow Surg

DOI

ISSN

1058-2746

Publication Date

2006

Volume

15

Issue

3

Start / End Page

367 / 370

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Tennis Elbow
  • Pain
  • Orthopedics
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Elbow Joint
  • Arthroscopy
  • Adult
 

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Ruch, D. S., Papadonikolakis, A., & Campolattaro, R. M. (2006). The posterolateral plica: a cause of refractory lateral elbow pain. J Shoulder Elbow Surg, 15(3), 367–370. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jse.2005.08.013
Ruch, David S., Anastasios Papadonikolakis, and Robert M. Campolattaro. “The posterolateral plica: a cause of refractory lateral elbow pain.J Shoulder Elbow Surg 15, no. 3 (2006): 367–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jse.2005.08.013.
Ruch DS, Papadonikolakis A, Campolattaro RM. The posterolateral plica: a cause of refractory lateral elbow pain. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2006;15(3):367–70.
Ruch, David S., et al. “The posterolateral plica: a cause of refractory lateral elbow pain.J Shoulder Elbow Surg, vol. 15, no. 3, 2006, pp. 367–70. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.jse.2005.08.013.
Ruch DS, Papadonikolakis A, Campolattaro RM. The posterolateral plica: a cause of refractory lateral elbow pain. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2006;15(3):367–370.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Shoulder Elbow Surg

DOI

ISSN

1058-2746

Publication Date

2006

Volume

15

Issue

3

Start / End Page

367 / 370

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Tennis Elbow
  • Pain
  • Orthopedics
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Elbow Joint
  • Arthroscopy
  • Adult