INTRODUCTION: A comparison was made of the efficacy of two different regimens for physio-therapy of epicondylitis. Combination treatment with hydrogalvanic four-cell bath and arm bath with rising temperature, which had shown good effects in treatment of tennis elbow in an earlier observational study, was compared with the analgesic interference current treatment often recommended in the literature. MATERIAL/METHODS: For this purpose, 60 patients with diagnosed epicondylitis that was resistant to conservative treatment were randomised into two groups for comparison. In group 1, interference currents were administered, and group 2 received combination treatment with the hydrogalvanic four-cell bath and rising-temperature arm bath. Criteria for inclusion, control and appraisal were laid down prospectively. All clinical func-tional parameters (grip strength, provocation test, pain score) characterising the course of the disease were recorded and evaluated statistically. RESULTS: The results show a significant superiority of combination treatment over monotherapy with interference current. The overall efficacy of the former treatment concept was greater. It is therefore recommended as reference treatment in chronic epicondylitis and should be carried out before considering surgical treatment.

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