Patients & Caregivers

Treatments For Elbows

The OssaTron® is currently indicated by the FDA to treat chronic lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) that has failed to respond to conservative therapies.

What is Lateral Epicondylitis?

Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), is an ailment, which affects approximately 3% of the overall population, or 59 out of 10,000 people. Tennis elbow is a condition in which there is inflammation or degeneration of the tendons attached to the outside of the elbow. This disease process is generally characterized as an abrupt or subtle tearing of the tendons around the elbow, and normally affects people between the ages of 30 and 50. Although many tennis players suffer with tennis elbow, it may also affect those who do not regularly participate in sports. Because pain occurs from injured or damaged tendons near the elbow, people in occupational settings which require repetitive wrist and forearm movements, such as painters, mechanics, and clerical workers, are also likely to suffer from lateral epicondylitis.

The diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis is normally made through a physical examination and radiographic studies, if necessary. Patients with tennis elbow experience pain at the lateral aspect of the elbow which can radiate or travel into the forearm and occasionally the hand. The pain occurs with grasping activities and may be accompanied by a sense of weakness.

The patient normally describes symptoms of pain along the lateral aspect of the elbow, difficulty lifting, and a weakened grip.

Upon diagnosis, conservative methods of treatment are normally employed which may include: ice/heat, strengthening exercises, and anti-inflammatory medication.

Patient Characteristics

The OssaTron® is indicated for use in patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis who have failed to respond to conservative treatment such as physical therapy and stretching exercises, orthotics, night splints, NSAIDs, cortisone injections, or previous surgery.

Patients with a history of current or recent drug therapy whici interferes with tissue healing, such as immunosuppressive agents or long term corticosteroids, should be carefully evaluated prior to treatment with the OssaTron®. Use of such medications may reduce the effectiveness of ESWT. Patients should wait at least four weeks after a cortisone injection before treatment with the OssaTron®.

Prior to treatment with the OssaTron®, patients should be carefully screened for concomitant conditions which could be responsible for or contribute to the symptoms. These may include carpal tunnel syndrome or other nerve entrapment, radiculopathy, diabetic neuropathy, stress fracture of the calcaneus, significant peripheral vascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other similar conditions.

The necessary extent of pretreatment evaluation should be determined by the treating physician.

Contraindications

There are no known contraindications to ESWT with the OssaTron® for treatment of chronic lateral epicondylitis.

Potential Effects of ESWT

Pain during the treatment
Localized numbness, tingling or decreased sensation
Local subcutaneous hematoma or bruising
Misdirection of the ESWT can affect major nerve or blood vessels
Anesthesia complications
Rupture at the treatment site

Discharge Orders

To avoid re-injury to the affected area, the patient should be advised to restrict stressful activity involving the affected elbow for 4 weeks - e.g. heavy work, yard work, sports.
Schedule the necessary follow up visits as recommended by the physician.
Patients may experience some pain or discomfort in the treated elbow after the anesthesia effects have subsided. They may also continue to experience for 1 to 2 weeks the same type of elbow pain they experienced prior to treatment. Pain is manageable by OTC pain medication (without anti-inflammatory ingredients). Do not prescribe anti-inflammatory medication, as inflammation is the desired effect from ESWT, to stimulate the healing process.
Based on the findings during the OssaTron® clinical trials, maximum healing effect of the procedure cannot be evaluated until 8 weeks post treatment. The healing effect is also dependent upon individual patient response.

What to Expect

Before an OssaTron® treatment a patient can expect the physician to consult with them regarding their procedure.
The area of pain will be marked with a marker.
Anesthesia will be administered
After the procedure, once the anesthesia wears off, the patient will be able to leave the facility shortly thereafter with discharge ordered provided by the physician.
The patient may have no pain following the treatment, but it may return to a lessser degree than the original pain level. The pain will gradually lessen over the next few weeks. If after 8 weeks you still have pain, then you should consult with your doctor about further treatment.