ABSTRACT

Several treatments have been proposed to treat lateral epicondylitis. Both steroid injection and extra-corporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) are treatment modalities.

Thirty-four patients suffering from lateral epicondylitis for at least 6 months were treated in this study. The patients were divided into two groups: the first group included 17 patients treated by ESWT, and the second group included 17 patients treated by local injection of steroid. The results were evaluated using the visual analog scale and the DASH score.

In the first group (ESWT), the mean follow-up period was 20.42 months. The VAS improved from 8.1 to 1.85, and the DASH score improved from 73.32 to 52.3. Moreover, 10 cases were satisfied, 2 cases were satisfied with reservation, and 5 cases were not satisfied. In the second group (steroid), the average follow-up period was 17.39 months. The VAS improved from 8.71 to 1.32, and the DASH score improved from 72 to 48.23. Concerning patient satisfaction, 13 cases were satisfied, 3 cases were satisfied with reservation, and 1 case was not satisfied.

Steroid injection had good results when compared to ESWT as regards pain relief, improvement of elbow function, and patient satisfaction at follow-up. (JAREM 2014; 2: 58-61)