Résumé
Background: Lateral epicondylitis is a common problem of upper extremity. There are various modalities of nonsurgical treatment for this disease including: low level laser therapy and local corticosteroid injection. Efficacy of these options is compared in this study
Material and Methods: In this clinical trial, 60 patients with lateral epicondylitis randomly assigned to two groups [1-local corticosteroid injection, 2- low level laser therapy]. At first visit, 4[th] and 8[th] weeks after treatment patient symptoms assessed by VAS, "pain threshold" measured with Algometer, "maximum strength of gripping" assessed by Dynamometer and the Modified Nirschle Stage and QUICK DASH questionnaire completed
Results: In both groups, assessment of symptoms at 4[th] and 8[th] weeks after treatment showed that most patients had better condition in comparison to base status. Only in group 1 "pain threshold" at 4[th] and 8[th] week and "maximum strength of gripping" at 8[th] week and in group 2 "pain threshold" and "maximum strength of gripping" At 4[th] and 8[th] week had no significant difference in comparison to base status. Comparison of severity of symptoms between two groups did not show any significant difference after treatment
Conclusion: Findings of present study show similarity of local prednisolone injection and use of Low Level Laser in the treatment of Lateral epicondylitis