Lateral and Medial Elbow Tendinopathy and Previous Injuries to Adjacent Joints: A Multicenter Observational Study

Abstract

Background: Lateral and medial elbow tendinopathies are common soft tissue disorders affecting 1–3% of the general population, causing significant pain and functional impairment in the elbow and upper limb. While often associated with overuse and repetitive strain, their exact etiology, including potential associations with prior injuries in adjacent joints, remains unclear. This preliminary study aims to explore the distribution of lateral and medial elbow tendinopathies and investigate the occurrence of previous lesions in adjacent joints among diagnosed individuals, providing foundational insights for future research. Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional observational study was conducted involving 90 subjects diagnosed with lateral and/or medial elbow tendinopathy. The data collection occurred during the initial consultations, including demographic information, clinical assessments, and history of prior injuries in adjacent joints. Results: Among the sample, 44.4% reported prior injuries to adjacent joints in the affected upper limb, with 45.6% of these injuries identified as musculotendinous in nature. The analysis also showed that the type of elbow tendinopathy was significantly associated with sex (p = 0.01) and occupational origin (p = 0.022). Conclusions: While a notable percentage of the subjects reported prior musculoskeletal injuries in the same limb, the study’s geographic limitations and reliance on self-reported data introduce potential recall bias. These preliminary findings suggest a possible relationship between prior adjacent joint injuries and elbow tendinopathy. Further research with larger sample sizes and more rigorous study design is needed to confirm these observations and explore the underlying mechanisms.