1 Volume 02; Issue 02 Journal of Orthopedics and Muscular System Research Review Article Aljawadi A, et al. J Orthop Muscular Syst Res 2: 114. The Effectiveness of Corticosteroid Injections in the Management of Lateral Epicondylitis, Review of Literature Ahmed Aljawadi 1* , Mohammed Elmajee 2 , Noman Jahangir 1 , Noman Niazi 1 , Sudheer Akkena 1 , Frances Arnall 3 , Anand Pillai 1 1 Trauma and Orthopaedics, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, UK 2 Trauma and Orthopaedics, Birmingham Orthopaedics Training Program, Health Education England (West Midlands), UK 3 Consultant Physiotherapist, University of Salford, Manchester, UK * Corresponding author: Ahmed Aljawadi, MSc Trauma and Orthopaedics, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, UK, M23 9LT. Tel: + 0044 7476 454 338. Email: ahmed.aljawadi@doctors.org.uk Citation: Aljawadi A, Elmajee M, Jahangir N, Niazi N, Akkena S, et al. (2019) The Effectiveness of Corticosteroid Injections in the Management of Lateral epicondylitis, Review of Literature. J Orthop Muscular Syst Res 2: 114. DOI: 10.29011/JOMSR- 114.100014 Received Date: 13 September, 2019; Accepted Date: 29 October, 2018, 2019; Published Date: 01 November, 2019 DOI: 10.29011/JOMSR-114.100014 Abstract Background: Lateral Epicondylitis (LE) is a common condition that represents an overuse injury of forearm common exten- sor tendon. Generally, it is a self-limiting process. However, if symptoms are persistent or recurrent, patient may beneft from conservative management options such as Physiotherapy, or Corticosteroids Injections (CSI). This paper will discuss in depth the role of corticosteroids injection for the management of LE. Methods and Results: A comprehensive search performed to review the most relevant, and high evidence level literature. Only Systemic Reviews and Randomised Controlled Trials (RTCs) were included in the review. Results showed that CSI is superior to other management options in terms of short-term outcomes and pain relief. However, long-term follow up reported better outcomes after Physiotherapy, Platelets Rich Plasma or Placebo compared to CSI. Conclusion: CSI can offer rapid symptoms improvement when it is needed. Yet, the literature suggests that CSI may not be effective, or may even worsen the patient’s condition in the long-term. Keywords: Common extensor tendinopathy; Conservative management; Corticosteroid injection; Elbow; Epicondylalgia; Lateral epicondylitis Introduction Lateral Epicondylitis (LE), or tennis elbow, is a common musculoskeletal condition and is the most common cause of elbow pain that occurs in approximately 1-2% of the adult population, commonly between 35 - 50 years of age. It usually affects athletes or people who are performing activities that demand repetitive wrist extension with supination and pronation [1-3]. LE is considered to be an overuse injury of the forearm extensor tendons [4]. The most common presenting symptom of LE is elbow pain, which increases signifcantly with a resisted dorsifexion of the wrist or a powerful grasp [5]. The injury that results in LE is believed to be due to a tear (Either microscopic or macroscopic) in the origin of the common extensor tendons of the wrist, it has been thought that this tear may result in an infammatory process [6]. However, a pathologic specimen showed no infammatory cells and a normal level of infammatory mediators, as a result, this disease process is now considered to be a degenerative process (tendinosis) [7,8]. Generally, LE is a self-limiting condition where most of the cases could respond to simple analgesics, nevertheless, for the patients with recurrent or persistent symptoms other treatment modalities may be considered, such as physiotherapy, injections, shockwave treatment, watchful waiting or surgery [1,2]. The objective of this essay is to critically discuss the role of Corticosteroids Injections (CSI) in the management of