Treatment of Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy-related Sciatic Nerve Entrapment: Presentation of an Ultrasound-guided "Intratissue Percutaneous Electrolysis" Application

Overview

Journal Muscles Ligaments Tendons J

Date 2016 Dec 1

PMID 27900300

Citations 9

Authors

Gabriele Mattiussi

Carlos Moreno

Affiliations

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Abstract

Background: Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy-related Sciatic Nerve Entrapment (PHTrSNE) is a neuropathy caused by fibrosis interposed between the semimembranosus tendon and the sciatic nerve, at the level of the ischial tuberosity.

Methods: Ultrasound-guided Intratissue Percutaneous Electrolysis (US-guided EPI) involves galvanic current transfer within the treatment target tissue (fibrosis) via a needle 0.30 to 0.33 mm in diameter. The galvanic current in a saline solution instantly develops the chemical process of electrolysis, which in turn induces electrochemical ablation of fibrosis. In this article, the interventional procedure is presented in detail, and both the strengths and limits of the technique are discussed.

Results: US-guided EPI eliminates the fibrotic accumulation that causes PHTrSNE, without the semimembranosus tendon or the sciatic nerve being directly involved during the procedure. The technique is however of limited use in cases of compression neuropathy.

Conclusion: US-guided EPI is a technique that is quick to perform, minimally invasive and does not force the patient to suspend their activities (work or sports) to make the treatment effective. This, coupled to the fact that the technique is generally well-tolerated by patients, supports use of US-guided EPI in the treatment of PHTrSNE.

Citing Articles

Biological and Cellular Effects of Percutaneous Electrolysis: A Systematic Review.

Rodriguez-Sanz J, Rodriguez-Rodriguez S, Lopez-de-Celis C, Malo-Urries M, Perez-Amodio S, Perez-Antonanzas R Biomedicines. 2025; 12(12.

PMID: 39767724 PMC: 11673020. DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12122818.

The Efficacy of Intratissue Percutaneous Electrolysis (EPI) and Nutritional Factors for the Treatment of Induced Tendinopathy in Wistar Rats: Hepatic Intermediary Metabolism Effects.

Ramos-Barbero M, Perez-Jimenez A, Serrano-Carmona S, Mokhtari K, Lupianez J, Rufino-Palomares E Int J Mol Sci. 2024; 25(13).

PMID: 39000426 PMC: 11242821. DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137315.

The Precision and Safety of Ultrasound-Guided versus Palpation-Guided Needle Placement on the Plantar Fascia and Flexor Digitorum Brevis Interface: An Anatomical Study.

Malo-Urries M, Borrella-Andres S, Lopez-de-Celis C, Fernandez-de-Las-Penas C, Perez-Bellmunt A, Arias-Buria J Healthcare (Basel). 2024; 12(10).

PMID: 38786411 PMC: 11121310. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12101000.

Application of Percutaneous Needle Electrolysis Does Not Elicit Temperature Changes: An In Vitro Cadaveric Study.

Borrella-Andres S, Malo-Urries M, Perez-Bellmunt A, Arias-Buria J, Rodriguez-Sanz J, Albarova-Corral M Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022; 19(23).

PMID: 36497812 PMC: 9735625. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192315738.

Endogenous Pain Modulation in Response to a Single Session of Percutaneous Electrolysis in Healthy Population: A Double-Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial.

Varela-Rodriguez S, Sanchez-Sanchez J, Velasco E, Delicado-Miralles M, Sanchez-Gonzalez J J Clin Med. 2022; 11(10).

PMID: 35629015 PMC: 9143044. DOI: 10.3390/jcm11102889.

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