Abstract
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)
Lateral elbow tendinopathy is the most frequent periarticular lesion which affects 1% to 3% of the
general population and is a difficult condition to manage with a wide range of procedures and
management protocols advocated (Abrahamson and Comfort, 2010). This study aimed to assess
the efficacy of managing lateral elbow tendinopathy using therapeutic ultrasound (U/S),
interferential current (IFC) or alternatively a combination of IFC and therapeutic U/S in addition to
chiropractic manipulative therapy of the cervical spine and elbow.
This study was a comparative study consisting of three groups of ten participants each with an
equal gender ratio. Prior to becoming a participant in this study individuals were assessed
according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Group A received therapeutic U/S; Group B
received IFC and Group C received combination therapy of IFC and therapeutic U/S. All three
groups received chiropractic manipulative therapy to the cervical spine and joints of the elbow
complex. Subjective data was obtained using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). Objective
data was obtained using the pressure algometer (pain pressure threshold) and the Jamar grip
strength dynamometer (pain-free grip strength) on the affected side. The study was conducted over
a course of three weeks for a total of seven visits per participant. Subjective and objective data was
collected pre-intervention on the first and fourth visits and on the seventh evaluation only visit.
Analysis of the data collected was performed by a statistician. All three groups showed statistically
significant clinical improvements in all measures. The only group not exhibiting a statistical
significance was the therapeutic U/S group in the initial pain pressure threshold results. In the
objective measures of all intervals none of the groups showed statistical superiority over one
another. However, the final NPRS results showed statistically significant improvement in
therapeutic U/S and combination therapy groups over IFC alone.
From the results it can be concluded that all groups were effective for lateral elbow tendinopathy in
conjunction with chiropractic manipulative therapy. With respects to subjective pain therapeutic U/S
and combination therapy appeared to have a greater efficacy than IFC, but no superior modality
was identified with respects to objective measures.