An intra-articular injection provides a safe and effective remedy for lateral epicondylitis

Background: Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is an overuse injury affecting people performing repetitive forearm movements. The intra-tendinous injection of triamcinolone has successfully relieved the symptoms of LE but some side effects have been frequently reported. The aim of the study was to investigate whether an intra-articular triamcinolone injection is effective in pain relief and functional improvement in LE.
Methods and results: This retrospective study examined the results of fifty-three patients who presented with LE from July 2020 to December 2021, with an average age of 54 and having a symptom duration of more than 3 months. Mixtures of 1 ml (30 mg) of triamcinolone and 1 ml of 2% lidocaine were prepared and infused into the elbow joint. Two weeks after the treatment, there was a down-gradation in pain and up-gradation in functional ability.
Conclusion: Intra-articular triamcinolone injection was proved to be effective in pain reduction and LE-related functional disability. Complications were observed in none.