The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume
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J Bone Joint Surg Am · Mar 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialBotulinum toxin injection in the treatment of tennis elbow. A double-blind, randomized, controlled, pilot study.
A recent report has suggested that local injection of botulinum toxin type A is an effective method of treatment for chronic tennis elbow. The toxin is thought to provide temporary paralysis of the painful common extensor origin, thereby allowing a healing response to occur. To test this theory, we performed a double-blind, randomized, controlled, pilot trial comparing injections of botulinum toxin type A with those of a placebo (normal saline solution) in the treatment of chronic tennis elbow. ⋯ With the numbers studied, we failed to find a significant difference between the two groups; thus, we have no evidence of a benefit from botulinum toxin injection in the treatment of chronic tennis elbow.