X-ray stimulation of tennis elbow

The term tennis elbow describes a painful irritation of the tendon insertions at the radial (thumb-side) humeral protrusion (epicondylus) at the elbow joint. The cause does not necessarily have to be an extensive game of tennis – incorrect or excessive strain from other racquet sports or at work (keyboard or mouse use at office work) can also lead to such a clinical picture. In addition to the pain, there is usually a restriction of movement in the elbow joint. In most cases, tennis elbow is first treated with pain and anti-inflammatory drugs and with sparing.If these measures do not show lasting success, X-ray stimulation radiation may be an alternative to surgical therapy. Since tennis elbow is an inflammatory irritant condition without structural damage to the joint bones, X-ray stimulation radiation is – in contrast to arthrosis – a causal treatment option that treats the disease itself and not only its symptoms.

X-ray stimulation of the heel in heel spur plantar fasciitis

At the heel, X-ray stimulation can be used to treat a calcaneal spur. The term heel spur is used to describe a bony extension in the area of the heel. A distinction can be made between the upper (rear) heel spur at the heel bone attachment of the Achilles tendon and the lower (front) heel spur in the attachment area of the tendon plate of the sole of the foot at the heel bone.

The latter is occasionally associated with an inflammation (plantar fasciitis) of this same tendon plate. Both subtypes of the heel spur express themselves mostly by stabbing pain when the heel bone is loaded, thus mainly when walking and standing. X-ray stimulation for the treatment of a calcaneal spur (with or without plantar fasciitis) can be considered in particular if previous attempts at treatment with pain and inflammationkilling drugs or cortisone injections have been unsuccessful.

The decision to undergo radiotherapy should not be waited too long (about 6 months at most), since the effectiveness of X-ray stimulation decreases with increasing pain duration. Radiotherapy of the calcaneal spur usually involves 12 sessions and is performed with a radiation dose of up to 20 Gray. This relatively high dose is necessary because heel spurs – in contrast to activated arthrosis or tendonitis, for example – destroy superfluous bony tissue and stimulate its degradation.