The Best Arm Position for Therapeutic Ultrasound Application in Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy Patients

Abstract

Objectives: To determine which is the best arm position for Therapeutic Ultrasound (TUS) application in Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy (LET) patients. Patients and Methods: A randomized clinical trial was carried out with 33 patients who had Let in a research center. They were randomly allocated to three groups. Group A (n=11) was treated with were treated with an exercise program and application of TUS with the wrist in full flexion. An exercise program and application of TUS with the wrist in mid position between flexion and extension was given to group B (n=11). Group C (n=11) received an exercise program and application of TUS with the wrist in full extension. All patients received three treatments per week for six weeks. The pain was evaluated using a visual analogue scale and function using a visual analogue scale and pain-free grip strength at the end of the four-week course of treatment (week 4) and one month (week 8) after the end of treatment. Results: The application of TUS with the wrist in full extension produced the largest effect in the reduction of pain and in the improvement of function at the end of the treatment (P<0.05) and at any of the follow-up time points (P<0.05). Conclusion: The application of TUS with the wrist in full extension was the most effective treatment. Future well-designed studies are needed to confirm the results of the present trial.