Cold Application in Lateral Epicondylitis

Which Cold Application is More Effective in Patients With Lateral Epicondylitis?

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate which cold application is more effective to regulate skin temperature in patients with lateral epicondylitis. Materials and Methods: Fifty-four patients with lateral epicondylitis were randomly divided into 2 groups as cooling gel (n=27) group and cold pack (n=27) group. Cooling gel and cold pack applications were applied on painful lateral epicondyle region for 15 minutes. Patients were assessed before and after the application. Assessments included the severity of pain during wrist extension, evaluated by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and thermal imaging of lateral epicondyle region evaluated by Infrared Thermography (FLIR5 Thermal Camera).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subjects with elbow pain for at least 3 months
• those between 20 and 40 years of age
• who did not have cold allergies

Exclusion Criteria:

• With a different elbow problem or multiple elbow problems,
• having cervical or other upper extremity problems,
• elbow joint operation,
• tendon rupture,
• limited range of motion due to humerus, radius or ulna fracture
• individuals with a history of osteoporosis, malignancy, hemophilia, neurological effect, and cognitive dysfunction