ACOEM Practice Guidelines: Elbow Disorders

OBJECTIVE:The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine has updated the treatment guidelines in its Elbow Disorders chapter through revision processes begun in 2006. This abbreviated version of that chapter highlights some of the evidence and recommendations developed. METHODS:Comprehensive systematic literature reviews were accomplished with article abstraction, critiquing, grading, evidence table compilation, and guideline finalization by a multidisciplinary expert panel and extensive peer-review to develop evidence-based guidance. Consensus recommendations were formulated when evidence was lacking and often relied on analogy to other disorders for which evidence exists. A total of 108 high- or moderate-quality trials were identified for elbow disorders. RESULTS:Guidance has been developed for 13 major diagnoses and includes 270 specific recommendations. CONCLUSION:Quality evidence is now available to guide treatment for elbow disorders, particularly for lateral epicondylalgia.