No effect of forearm band and extensor strengthening exercises for the treatment of tennis elbow: a prospective randomised study.

Luginbühl R, Brunner F, Schneeberger AG

The objective of this prospective randomised study was to analyse the effect of the forearm support band and of strengthening exercises for the treatment of tennis elbow. Twenty-nine patients with tennis elbow were randomised into 3 groups of treatment: (I) forearm support band, (II) strengthening exercises and (III) both methods. The patients had a standardised examination at their first visit, and then after 6 weeks, 3 months and 1 year. At the latest follow-up, there was a significant improvement of the symptoms compared to before treatment, considering all patients independently of the methods of treatment.

No differences was found between the scores in the 3 groups of treatment, indicating that no beneficial influence was found either for the strengthening exercises or for the forearm support band. Improvement seems to occur with time, independent of the method of treatment used.

La Chirurgia degli Organi di Movimento, 2008, 91(1), 35-40

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