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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2018 Sep;52(5):357-362.
doi: 10.1016/j.aott.2018.06.004. Epub 2018 Jun 28.

Comparison of ultrasound and extracorporeal shock wave therapy in lateral epicondylosis

Bestami Yalvaç  1 , Nilgün Mesci  2 , Duygu Geler Külcü  3 , Ozan Volkan Yurdakul  4
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Comparison of ultrasound and extracorporeal shock wave therapy in lateral epicondylosis

Bestami Yalvaç et al. Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc. 2018 Sep.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) and therapeutic ultrasound (US) in the treatment of lateral epicondylosis (LE).

Methods: Our study enrolled 50 patients with LE. Patients were randomized into two groups. Group 1 underwent therapeutic US (n = 24; 5 males and 15 females; mean age: 43.75 ± 4.52) Group 2 underwent ESWT (n = 20; 8 males and 16 females; mean age: 46.04 ± 9.24). Patients were evaluated at baseline, after treatment,and 1 month following treatment. The outcome measures were the visual analog scale (VAS), algometer, grip dynamometer, quick-disability of the arm,shoulder,and hand (QDASH), patient-rated tennis elbow evaluation (PRTEE), and Short Form-36 (SF-36) health survey questionnairre.

Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in terms of VAS (all p values < 0.0001), dynamometer (p = 0.001 vs p = 0.015), algometer (all p values < 0.0001), PRTEE (all p values < 0.0001), QDASH (all p values < 0.0001), and SF-36 scores (p = 0.001 vs p = 0.005) within time. There was no significant difference between the two groups, except algometer scores in favor of ESWT (p = 0.029).

Conclusion: ESWT and therapeutic US are equally effective in treating LE. ESWT is an alternative therapeutic intervention and as effective as US.

Level of evidence: Level III, Therapeutic study.

Keywords: Algometer; Ekstracorporeal shock wave therapy; Lateral epicondylosis; Tennis elbow; Ultrasound.

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