Clinical trial: Fu's Subcutaneous Needling on the Myofascial Trigger Points: Lateral Epicondylitis (NCT03605563)

Eligibility criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

          -  1. Subjects older than 20 years of age who can cooperate with the experimental
             volunteers.

             2. Suffering from epicondylitis of the humerus for more than one month, and subjective
             pain intensity (VAS) greater than 5 points.

             3. There is a local tender point at the upper elbow of the elbow, and the isometric
             resistance test of the forearm to make a spin will induce pain.

             4. Under soft tissue ultrasound, the thickness of the common tendon of the extensor
             carpi muscles is more than 0.15 mm greater than that of the healthy side.

        Exclusion Criteria:

          -  1. There are contraindications to general treatment, such as serious medical problems,
             recent serious trauma, or pregnant women.

             2. There has been a history of drug abuse (including excess alcohol) that affects pain
             assessors.

             3. Have received neck, upper back, or upper and lower limb surgery. 4. People with
             central or peripheral nerve disease. 5. Cognitive impairment, unable to cooperate with
             the experimenter. 6. Patients currently receiving other treatments for epicondylitis
             of the humerus.
No condition on gender to be admitted to the trial.
No healthy subjects accepted to join the trial.
Subject must be at least 20 Years old.


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? Contradiction