Clinical Efficacy of Needle-Knife Therapy Combined with Muscle Energy Technique in the Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis of the Humerus

Abstract

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of needle-knife therapy combined with muscle energy technique in treating external humeral epicondylitis and analyze its advantages. Method: 71 patients with lateral epicondylitis of the humerus were randomly divided into an experimental group (n = 36 cases, needle-knife therapy combined with muscle energy technique) and a control group (n = 35 cases, electroacupuncture therapy combined with muscle energy technique) using a random number method. The visual analog scale (VAS) scores, Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS), Barthel index (BI) scores, and self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) scores were compared between the two groups before and after treatment and during follow-up. Results: At the end of the treatment and follow-up period, within the same group, the VAS score decreased (P < 0.05), while the MEPS, BI index score, and SAS score increased (P < 0.05). In intergroup comparison, the VAS scores of the experimental group were lower than those of the control group; the MEPS, BI index score, and SAS score did not show statistically significant differences between groups at each time point (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The combination of needle-knife therapy and muscle energy technique in treating lateral epicondylitis of the humerus has advantages such as good analgesic effect, less treatment frequency, and consolidated long-term efficacy, which is worthy of further research and promotion.