Ultrasound check of tendon attachment sites in people with tennis elbow

Ultrasonographic Examination of Other Enthesitis Sites in Patients With Lateral Epicondylitis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Observational Marmara University · NCT07314840

This project will try to see if people with tennis elbow have more ultrasound signs of enthesitis at other tendon attachment sites than healthy volunteers.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 60 Years
SexAll
SponsorMarmara University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Istanbul, Maltepe)
Trial IDNCT07314840 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is an observational, single-center comparison of patients with lateral epicondylitis and healthy volunteers using the Madrid Sonographic Enthesitis Index (MASEI). Participants undergo ultrasound of multiple enthesis sites to generate MASEI scores, which are then compared between groups. Key exclusions include rheumatologic disease, prior elbow/knee/ankle surgery or corticosteroid injection, peripheral neuropathy, and acute trauma. The goal is to determine whether enthesitis findings seen on ultrasound are more widespread in patients with tennis elbow.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults with lateral epicondylitis who have tenderness at the lateral epicondyle and pain with resisted wrist extension, with no rheumatologic disease, relevant prior surgery or steroid injection, peripheral neuropathy, or recent acute trauma are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with known rheumatologic disease, prior elbow/knee/ankle surgery or corticosteroid injections, peripheral neuropathy, or acute trauma are excluded and therefore unlikely to benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could show that tennis elbow is associated with wider enthesitis detectable by ultrasound and help clinicians refine evaluation and management.

How similar studies have performed: MASEI is validated for spondyloarthritis and has been used in other musculoskeletal conditions, but applying it specifically to lateral epicondylitis is relatively novel and not well-established.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Tenderness with palpation at the lateral epicondyle
* Pain aggravated with resisted wrist extension

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of rheumatologic diseases
* History of elbow, knee or ankle surgery
* History of corticosteroid injections on elbow, knee or ankle
* History of peripheral neuropathy
* Acute trauma

Where this trial is running

Istanbul, Maltepe

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Lateral EpicondylitisLateral Elbow TendinopathyTennis ElbowEnthesitisMadrid Sonographic Enthesitis IndexMASEI
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.