Aim: To evaluate the clinical response to augmenting ultrasound-guided tenotomy (USGT) with an amniotic membrane (AM) allograft injection. Design: Retrospective study. Materials & methods: Subjects underwent either a USGT (N = 16) or a combined USGT plus AM injection (N = 14). Results: Both groups demonstrated a significant reduction in pain from baseline starting after 2 weeks in the USGT plus AM group (p = 0.036) and after 8 weeks in the USGT group (p = 0.021). The reduction in pain was sustained for the entire duration of the study (52 weeks). There was no significant difference in pain levels at 26- or 52-week follow-up or patient satisfaction between the two groups. Conclusion: USGT with or without AM allograft injections results in a significant reduction in pain with high patient satisfaction.
Keywords: Tenex™; amniotic membrane allograft; elbow pain; percutaneous needle tenotomy; tennis elbow.
The goal of this study was to determine if a single injection of an amniotic membrane (AM) tissue improves clinical outcomes for patients with chronic tennis elbow treated with ultrasound-guided tenotomy. Ultrasound-guided tenotomy involves using a cutting device to remove degenerative tissue with ultrasound-guidance to help tendon’s healing process. An AM injection is thought to reduce inflammation in the surrounding tissue, provide growth factors that help with the tendon’s healing process, and minimize painful scar formation. 30 patients were included in this study (16 ultrasound-guided tenotomy [USGT] and 14 USGT plus AM injection). Both groups showed improvement in pain levels compared with their baseline at the short-term follow-up, and this reduction in pain was sustained for 52 weeks. There were no long-term differences between the two groups at the 52 week follow-up in pain levels or satisfaction. Our findings suggest that USGT, with or without AM injection, is an effective method of treatment for chronic tennis elbow.