(Ivanhoe Newswire) – People with pain in the elbow or forearm from
playing sports or just from common everyday activities might use a simple bar
and strengthening exercise to alleviate pain, say researchers.
Tennis elbow or “lateral epicondylitis” is a common condition afflicting nearly
three percent of the general population -- not just those who play tennis. "Our
study illustrated that a novel exercise, using an inexpensive rubber bar, may
provide a practical and effective means of adding isolated wrist strengthening
exercises to a treatment plan," lead author Timothy F. Tyler, PT, ATC, Clinical
Research Associate, of the Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic
Trauma in New York City is quoted as saying.
The study randomized 21 patients with tennis elbow into two groups. Both groups
received wrist extensor stretching, ultrasound, cross-friction massage, heat and
ice for treatment.
The eccentric training group performed isolated eccentric wrist extensor
strengthening exercises using the rubber bar (Flexbar, Akron OH), while the
standard treatment group performed isotonic wrist strengthening exercises. Three
sets of 15 repetitions were performed daily as part of a home program, with
progressively increasing intensity during the treatment period.
A variety of pain and movement scales was used to measure progress. Patients
using the rubber bar had vastly better results on all scales, especially those
related to strength. In fact, given the consistently poor outcomes for patients
in the standard treatment group, researchers decided to terminate the
randomization with 21 of the intended 30 patients having already completed the
study.
"Compared to other treatments for tennis elbow, such as cortisone injections or
topical nitric oxide, which require direct medical supervision and often have
side effects,” said Tyler, “this treatment is not only cost effective but dosage
is not limited by the patient having to come to a clinic."
SOURCE: Presented at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Annual
Meeting, July 9th-12th, 2009
