Investigation of ligament, bone, synovial and plica pathologies accompanied by common extensor tendon in patients with lateral overuse syndrome of the elbow using magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND

Tendinosis in the common extensor tendon and accompanying ligament, bone, and plica abnormalities can be observed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

PURPOSE

To determine whether there is a difference between accompanying abnormalities according to the degree of common extensor tendon injury.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Patients who underwent 1.5-T MRI tests with a prediagnosis of lateral overuse syndrome were retrospectively reviewed, and 56 patients who had an injury in the common extensor tendon (CET) were included. The degree of tendon and ligament injury, muscle signal change, bone marrow signal change, presence of joint effusion, and morphological features in the presence of plica were evaluated via MRI examinations of the elbow.

RESULTS

Overall, 32, 16, and eight patients had mild, moderate, and severe CET damage, respectively. As the severity of CET damage increased, the presence of joint effusion, and the presence and degree of damage to the lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL) and radial collateral ligament (RCL) increased. The radiohumeral (RH) plica area was significantly larger in the group with mild CET damage. There was no statistically significant correlation between the severity of CET damage and the end of RH plica with a blind-end, coverage of one-third or more of the radius, its signal, thickness, and presence of olecranon fold.

CONCLUSION

As the severity of CET injury increases, damage to the LUCL, RCL, and the presence of effusion in the joint increases. RH plica should be evaluated in terms of concomitant pathology in patients with mild CET injuries on MRI.