OBJECTIVES: This study aims to compare the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), physiotherapy, and local steroid injection in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 59 patients (34 males, 25 females; mean age 46.4 years; range 35 to 60 years) who were clinically diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis between January 2013 and December 2013 were included in the study. The patients were randomly divided into three treatment groups as ESWT (ESWT group), local steroid injection (E group) and physiotherapy (FT group). The visual analog scale (VAS), hand grip strength, pressure sensitivity on lateral epicondyle, Thompson test and chair lifting test were performed before treatment and at three, six and 12 weeks following the treatment. RESULTS: Compared to baseline, VAS scores decreased, while hand grip strength increased in all three treatment groups at three, six, and 12 weeks. Pressure sensitivity with pressure on the lateral epicondyle, Thompson test, and chair lifting test results became significantly negative at three, six, and 12 weeks compared to baseline. There was no statistically significant difference in the VAS and hand grip strength scores at three, six, and 12 weeks compared to baseline among the treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Our study results suggest that ESWT, physiotherapy, and local steroid injection are effective in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis during 12 week-follow-up.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help

• DOI
• PDF locator
• publisher