Radial shockwave and ultrasound in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis – a preliminary report

Abstract

Introduction: Lateral epicondylitis can be resistant to treatment that usually involves the use of conservative therapies, including physical modalities such as radial shockwave and ultrasound. Studies show that both modalities are efficacious but their results are inconsistent. The optimal parameters for applying them are also yet to be determined. This trial was designed to analyse and compare the efficacy of radial shock wave and ultrasound as therapies for treating patients with lateral epicondylitis. Material and methods: The trial was conducted with 26 patients with lateral epicondylitis divided into two comparative groups (A and B), each consisting of 13 patients. The groups were treated with radial shockwave and ultrasound, respectively. In both of them, changes in patients’ rest pain, night pain, pain during activity, and hand grip strength were evaluated, as well as the efficacy of both therapies. Results: The intensity of all types of pain decreased over the course of the study in both groups and patients’ grip strength gradually improved. The groups were comparable in terms of percentage change in the analysed parameters and the distribution of patients’ self-assessments of treatment efficacy. Conclusions: Radial shockwave and ultrasound show comparable efficacy in treating lateral epicondylitis. They are particularly effective in reducing pain intensity and increasing the hand grip strength of the affected extremity.