Efficacy of Periarticular Sodium Hyaluronate Injection in Lateral Epicondylitis of Humerus

Abstract

Objective: To determine the efficacy of periarticular sodium hyaluronate injection in terms of
improvement of pain in lateral epicondylitis of humerus.
Material and Methods: This descriptive case series study was conducted for period of 6
months at Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Services Hospital, Lahore. Through nonprobability consecutive sampling, One hundred patients fulfilling the inclusion/exclusion criteria
were selected from outpatient department and informed consent was taken.
Sodium hyaluronate injection was administered into the subcutaneous tissue and muscle 1 cm
from the lateral epicondyle of humerus towards the primary point of pain using a two dimensional
fanning technique. Patients were followed up in outpatients department for assessment of
improvement in pain utilizing visual analog scale (VAS) at an interval of 4 weeks. Treatment was
declared effective when the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was found to be 0-3 i.e. no or mild pain.
Paired sample t-test was used for pain comparison at baseline and at 4 weeks and 5% level of
significance was used.
Results: A total of 100 patients consisting of 48 females and 52 males were enrolled who were
diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis. Mean age of patients was 42.16±6.78 years with minim and
maximum age of patients was 31 and 58 years respectively. Periarticular sodium hyaluronate
injection was effective among 75(75%) patients.
Conclusion: Periarticular sodium hyaluronate injection is an effective method of treatment in
lateral epicondylitis of humerus.