Lateral Epicondylitis
Conditions
Keywords
lateral epicondylitis, therapeutical ultrasound
Brief summary
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of continuous and pulsed ultrasound treatments in lateral epicondylitis and to compare the efficacy of these two treatments against each other and placebo. Patients and Methods: Fifty one patients diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis were included to the study. Patients were randomised to continuous ultrasound, pulsed ultrasound and placebo groups by using closed envelop method. First group received continuous ultrasound treatment. Second group received pulsed ultrasound treatment in proportion as. Third group received of placebo treatment. Resting and moving pain levels of the patients were evaluated by using visual analog scale. Muscle strength was evaluated by using dynamometer. For functional evaluation Duruoz's hand index and Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) scales were used. Evaluations were made at baseline, at the end of the therapy, and one month after the therapy. In addition, at baseline and at the end of the therapy, the thickness of the common extensor tendon was measured by using ultrasonic imaging (USG).
Detailed description
The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of continuous and pulsed ultrasound treatments in lateral epicondylitis and to compare the efficacy of these two treatments against each other and placebo. Fifty one patients (33 women, 18 men) diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis were included to the study. Patients were randomised to continuous ultrasound (n=17), pulsed ultrasound (n=17) and placebo (n=17) groups by using closed envelop method. First group received 10 sessions of 1 W/cm2 and 1,5 MHz continuous ultrasound treatment. Second group received 10 sessions of 1 W/cm2 and 1,5 MHz pulsed ultrasound treatment in proportion as 1:4. Third group received 10 sessions of placebo treatment with the same device seemed to be working but without delivering any output. Resting and moving pain levels of the patients were evaluated by using visual analog scale. Muscle strength was evaluated by using dynamometer. For functional evaluation Duruoz's hand index and Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) scales were used. Evaluations were made at baseline, at the end of the therapy, and one month after the therapy. In addition, at baseline and at the end of the therapy, the thickness of the common extensor tendon was measured by using ultrasonic imaging (USG).
Interventions
DEVICEultrasound
therapeutical ultrasound were applied to the patients
Sponsors
Eskisehir Osmangazi University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)
Masking description
the patients and the physician was blind to the study
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* aged between 18-70 years * pain on the lateral side of the elbow for less than six months * tenderness over the lateral epicondyle * pain during extension of wrist and fingers
Exclusion criteria
* upper extremity and neck disorders * other elbow pathologies * presence of tendon rupture * usage of non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs * joint limitations due to a previous radius/ulna fracture * previous elbow surgery * osteoporosis, malignancy, hemophilia, neurologic deficit(s) in the ipsilateral upper limb * cognitive disfunction
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| measuring the thickness of common extensor tendon by ultrasound imaging. | 2nd week | the thickness of common extensor tendon by ultrasound imaging was measured at the beginning and at the end of the study |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Visual Analog Scale | 6th week |
| Duruoz's hand index | 6th week |
| Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) scales | 6th week |
Outcome results
None listed