Clinical trial: Clinical and Ultrasonographic Results of Intratissue Percutaneous Electrolysis in Lateral Epicondylitis (NCT02085928)

Eligibility criteria:
Individuals who meet all of the following criteria are eligible for enrollment into the
        study:

        Inclusion Criteria:

          -  Adult between 18-45 years of age

          -  Pain over the lateral humeral epicondyle provoked by at least two of the following:
             gripping, palpation, stretching of forearm extensor muscles and resisted wrist or
             middle finger extension

          -  Persistent pain for at least 3 months despite conservative treatments including
             medication (oral nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and analgesics), brace
             application, or physiotherapy

          -  Patients with structural tendon changes at the origin of the extensors, demonstrated
             during musculoskeletal ultrasound

        Individuals who meet any of the following criteria are disqualified from enrollment of the
        study:

        Exclusion Criteria:

          -  Patients with a history of advanced cervical arthrosis in the C4-C6 segments.

          -  Bilateral LE with central sensitization

          -  Symptoms compatible with posterior interosseous nerve entrapment.

          -  Previous surgery, fractures, trauma or previous history of rheumatic disorders in the
             area of the lateral epicondyle

          -  History of corticosteroid injection at the lateral epicondyle within the last 3 months

        Two experienced professionals performed recruitment and examination of subjects in order to
        assess for eligibility criteria. All eligible patients provided written informed consent.
No condition on gender to be admitted to the trial.
No healthy subjects accepted to join the trial.
Subject must be at least 18 Years old.
Subject must be at most 45 Years

Patient description (medical language): A 17-year-old male comes to the office due to several months of right elbow pain.  The pain is worse with activity and limits his workouts and activities.  He has tried over-the-counter medications with limited relief.  Medical history is notable for eczema, and current medications include a topical hydrocortisone ointment.  He is sexually active with his girlfriend and uses condoms. He does not smoke or drink alcohol. He plays tennis most of the days of the week. The comprehensive evaluation shows pain on the lateral side of the elbow, made worse by pressure applied on the lateral epicondyle of the humerus and when making a fist with the elbow joint straightened. The patient has this pain since last year and had several courses of physical therapy.

Patient description (patient's own words): I'm 17, and I had to go to the doctor because I've been suffering from my right elbow for several months. The pain is even worse when I do sports and it kind of limits me for my workouts and activities. I tried over-the-counter medications but it didn't work much. I had eczema before and my medication is ointments that contain cortisone. I am sexually active as a 17-year-old guy, and I have a girlfriend, and we use condoms. I don't smoke or drink. I play tennis most days of the week. I did an exam that showed pain on the side of my elbow and it was worse when they applied some pressure on it and when I was putting my hand as a fist. I have had this pain since last year, and I had several sessions of physical therapy already.

Does the patient match the trial criteria? Entailment