Comparison of Conservative Methods for the Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis: A Randomized, Prospective Study

Comparison of Conservative Methods for the Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis: A Randomized, Prospective Study

This is a prospective study where patients with lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) will be randomized into one of 4 possible treatments. The purpose is to individually examine the efficacy of each treatment, and determine if one treatment method is more effective than another. The four treatments are: corticosteriod injections, prolotherapy, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) combined with physical therapy, and a placebo.

Inclusion Criteria:

• pain over the lateral epicondyle (via palpation over the lateral epicondyle, resisted wrist extension, resisted finger extension of the middle finger) for less than six-months duration prior to enrollment
• conservative treatment of tennis elbow is recommended as standard of care treatment
• over the age of 18 and under the age of 65
• ability to give informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• treatment by a health care profession (MD, physicians assistnat, therapist, or nurse practitioner) within the previous 6 months for tennis elbow
• congenital deformities, tendon ruptures, or fractures of the elbow within the previous 12 months
• immobility casts or splints within the last 6 months for tennis elbow
• co-existing elbow diagnosis (i.e. osteoarthritis or instability)
• pregnant women, women trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding women
• under the age of 18 or over the age of 65