Internal impingement in the etiology of rotator cuff tendinosis revisited.

Purpose: The theory of internal impingement holds that, in overhead athletes, repeated contact between the undersurface of the rotator cuff and the posterosuperior glenoid rim leads to articular-sided partial-thickness rotator cuff tears and superior labral lesions. However, we have noted this same constellation of lesions in our general patient population. These recreational athletic patients do not routinely assume the position of extreme abduction and external rotation, and thus are unlikely to experience significant internal impingement forces.

Iontophoretic administration of dexamethasone sodium phosphate for acute epicondylitis. A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study.

Background: A better treatment modality is needed to control the pain of medial or lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow).

Hypothesis: Dermal iontophoretic administration of dexamethasone sodium phosphate will be significantly more effective in controlling pain than a placebo in patients with medial or lateral elbow epicondylitis.

Study Design: Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study.