Comparing the Efficacy of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy, Ultrasound and Phonophoresis Treatments in Lateral Epicondylitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Lateral epicondylitis is the most common cause of elbow lateral pain in adults. Pain that occurs in LE and radiates to the humerus and forearm is characteristic of this disease. The main complaints being pain and decreased grip strength, both of which may affect activities of daily living. The patient's complaints regress with rest,but but can increase again during daily activities such as grasping, repetitive hand movements, holding door handles, turning keys, lifting heavy loads. Diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis is largely based on clinical history and examination. Conservative treatment is the first line treatment. Generally, %90 of patients with LE benefit from conservative and medical treatment, and only a few need surgery. These treatment methods include many options such as activity modification, topical and oral NSAIDs, splinting, stretching and strengthening exercises, various injections, prolotherapy and electrotherapy modalities. Laser, TENS, ultrasound, phonophoresis, iontophoresis and ESWT are electrotherapeutic agents that can be used in therapy to relieve pain and promote healing. Research on physical treatments for LE has not yet proven superiority of one specific approach.

Although many studies have been done for ESWT, ultrasound and phonophoresis, there is not any study that compares these three modalities.In addition, there ara fewer studies about measuring the effect of these treatment methods which contain control groups. In this study, our aim is to investigate the efficacy of ESWT, ultrasound therapy and phonophoresis methods used in the treatment of LE and to compare the efficacy of these three treatments against each other and control group.