A Comparison of the Short-Term Efficacy of Physiotherapy Approaches in Patients with Lateral Epicondylitis

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the short-term effects of radial nerve self-mobilization [RNSM], manual therapy [MT], and extracorporeal shock wave therapy [ESWT] on pain, pain-free grip strength, functional status, and patient satisfaction in patients with Lateral Epicondylitis [LE] and to determine the superiority of these methods to each other. 48 patients diagnosed with LE were included in the study and were randomly divided into three groups. RNSM was applied to all patients as a home program. The first group [n=16] received only the RNSM as a home program, the MT group [n=16] received MT combined with RNSM, and the ESWT group [n=16] received ESWT combined with RNSM. The RNSM was applied five days per week, and the MT and ESWT for two sessions per week for three weeks. Pain severity, pain-free handgrip strength, functionality levels, and patient satisfaction were evaluated before and after three weeks of treatment. The pain level significantly decreased, and handgrip strength and functionality increased in all groups after three weeks [p<0.001]. In comparison between the groups, the decrease in pain level, the increase in maximum grip strength, and patients' overall satisfaction scores were found to be higher in the MT group than in the ESWT, and only the RNSM groups [p<0.05]. MT application combined with radial nerve self-mobilization exercises in the treatment of LE appears to be more effective.

Keywords

• Lateral epicondylitis
• radial nerve mobilization
• manual therapy
• extracorporeal shock wave therapy
• pain

Lateral Epikondilitli Hastalarda Fizyoterapi Yaklaşımlarının Kısa Dönem Etkinliğinin Karşılaştırılması

Abstract

Çalışmamızdaki amaç Lateral Epikondilit’te [LE] self radial sinir mobilizasyonu [RSM], manuel terapi [MT], ekstrakorporeal şok dalga tedavisi [ESWT]’nin ağrı, kavrama kuvveti, fonksiyonel durum ve hasta memnuniyeti üzerindeki erken dönem etkilerinin araştırılması ve bu yöntemlerin birbirlerine göre üstünlüğünü belirlemektir. Çalışmaya 48 LE tanılı hasta dahil edildi ve rastgele üç gruba ayrıldı. Tüm hastalara ev programı olarak RSM uygulandı. Birinci grup [n=16] sadece RSM'yi ev programı olarak, MT grubu [n=16] RSM ile birlikte MT ve ESWT grubu [n=16] RSM ile birlikte ESWT aldı. RSM haftada beş gün, MT ve ESWT ise üç hafta boyunca haftada iki seans uygulandı. Üç haftalık tedaviden önce ve sonra ağrı şiddeti, ağrısız kavrama gücü, işlevsellik düzeyleri ve hasta memnuniyeti değerlendirildi. Üç haftalık tedavi sonrasında tüm gruplarda ağrı düzeyi anlamlı olarak azalırken kavrama gücü ve fonksiyonellikte artış oldu [p<0.001]. Gruplar arası karşılaştırmada ise ağrı düzeyindeki azalma, maksimum kavrama gücündeki artış ve hastaların genel memnuniyet skorları MT grubunda ESWT ve sadece RSM gruplarına göre daha yüksek bulundu [p<0.05]. LE tedavisinde RSM egzersizleri ile kombine MT uygulamasının daha etkili olduğu düşünülmektedir.

Keywords

• Lateral epikondilit
• radial sinir mobilizasyonu
• manuel terapi
• ekstrakorporeal şok dalga tedavisi
• ağrı
• Lateral epicondylitis
• radial nerve mobilization
• manual therapy
• extracorporeal shock wave therapy
• pain

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