Musculoskeletal Ultrasound-Guided Micro-Needle-Knife Intervention at the Deep Fascial versus Superficial Fascial Layers in Lateral Epicondylitis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Study Summary

70 patients with unilateral lateral epicondylitis (LE) were randomized to receive musculoskeletal ultrasound-guided micro-needle-knife (MNK) targeting either the deep fascial layer or superficial fascial layer at LI10 and TE9 over 12 treatment sessions across 4 weeks. The primary outcomes of interest were pain measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and pressure pain threshold (PPT). Secondary outcomes included pain-free grip strength (PFG) and Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS). Outcomes were assessed at baseline and at weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8, with PFG and MEPS assessed at weeks 4 and 8. Overall, the results of the study revealed greater and earlier improvements in pain, PPT, PFG, and MEPS with deep fascial targeting, with benefits maintained through 8 weeks. These findings suggested that precise deep fascial MNK intervention may provide greater short-term clinical benefit than superficial fascial treatment in patients with LE.