effect of various pressure by elbow supporting band on pain in tennis elbow

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of the pneumatic forearm support band on elbow pain. It also investigated the effect of varying the pressure of the forearm support band on the common extensor origin. Thirty subjects [14 males, and 16 females] participated in this study. They were diagnosed by an orthopedist as grade II lateral epicondylitis. Subjects were seated in the test chair and the tests were done without the using of the forearm support band and with the band at varying pressures. Pain was measured using a 10 cm visual analogue scale. By using the Biodex system 3 isokinetic dynamometer, patient was asked to hold the handle firmly and move it from full flexion to full extension exerting his maximum effort. The test was performed in two speeds 90°/sec and 240°/sec. Five minutes of rest were allowed, then the band was applied without fitting it snugly, then the cuff was inflated to the desired pressure [20, 30, or 40 mm Hg]. The whole test procedure was repeated for each pressure. The order of testing [without band, with pressure 20, 30, and 40 mmHg] was randomized. Results of this study showed that the band caused a significant decrease in pain at wrist extensors origin. Varying the pressure of the band on the forearm by means of modifying the pressure inside the air cell of the pneumatic band did not have a significant effect on pain at wrist extensors origin. According to the results of the current study, the band was efficient in decreasing pain of the common extensor origin with test speed 90°/sec at pressure 20 and 30 mmHg. and with test speed 240°/sec at all of the three tested pressures. Within the limits of the pressures used in the current study, varying the pressure of the band had no significant effect on pain scores