Eccentric strengthening for chronic lateral epicondylosis: a prospective randomized study.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine
• Physical Therapy

Background:

• Chronic lateral epicondylosis treatment efficacy remains inadequately studied.
• Eccentric overload exercises show success in other tendinopathies like Achilles and patellar.
• Investigating novel treatment approaches for lateral epicondylosis is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare eccentric strengthening with stretching/modalities for chronic lateral epicondylosis.
• To determine if eccentric strengthening offers superior outcomes for lateral epicondylosis.
• To test the hypothesis that eccentric strengthening is more effective than stretching.

Main Methods:

• Prospective randomized controlled trial involving 28 adults with lateral epicondylosis.
• Participants were randomized into either an eccentric strengthening or a stretching group.
• Pain scores were assessed using a visual analog scale at multiple follow-up points over 20 weeks.

Main Results:

• Both groups demonstrated initial pain improvement by week 4.
• Further pain reduction after week 4 was not statistically significant in either group.
• No statistically significant differences in pain scores were observed between the eccentric strengthening and stretching groups at any follow-up interval.

Conclusions:

• Eccentric exercises did not provide a statistically significant advantage over stretching and modalities for lateral epicondylosis.
• The study's findings contrast with previous research on eccentric exercises for other tendinopathies.
• Further research may be needed to explore optimal treatment durations or exercise parameters for lateral epicondylosis.