Page 193 - HA Convention 2015

Service Priorities and Programmes Free Papers

SPP8.2 Young Hospital Authority Investigators Presentations 14:30 Room 221

A Prospective Randomised Study in Comparing the Effects of the Combined Use of Wrist Extension Splint and

Tennis Elbow Band with Tennis Elbow Band for Patients with Lateral Epicondylitis
Ho HTI 1, Wong MW 2, Leung YF 3, Hung LK 3, Au LYF 1
1Occupational Therapy Department, Prince of Wales Hospital, 2Department of Rehabilitation Science, The Hong Kong
Polytechnic University, 3Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Introduction

Tennis elbow usually affects adults in 40 to 50 years old, leading to a substantial loss of labour force due to pain over the
lateral epicondyle. The prognosis for tennis elbow is good. 80% of patients recovers within a year. The average duration of
symptoms ranges from six months to 24 months. However, if not treated properly, 5 to 10% patients will develop chronic
symptoms. Several studies were done to compare the clinical outcomes of tennis elbow band (TEB) and wrist extension
splint (WES). However, lack of studies directly comparing the clinical outcomes of the combined effects of TEB and WES with
TEB only for the management of lateral epicondylitis.

Objectives
To compare the effects of TEB and WES with isolated use of TEB in the treatment of patients with lateral epicondylitis.

Methodology Tuesday, 19 May

39 patients (45 elbows) referred to occupational therapy department with diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis/tennis elbow,
complaint of pain over lateral epicondyle and complaint of pain in resisted wrist extension and long finger extension were
invited to participate in the study. They were randomised into two treatment groups: Group one - TEB only; Group two - TEB
+WES. There were 22 elbows in total in Group one and 23 elbows in Group two. Measures on resting pain, pain on exertion,
grip strength measured in elbow in flexion and extension, “Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire” (DASH-
HKPWH), Chinese version of Short Form Health Survey - Physical Health Summary (SF-12 PCS) and Mental Health Summary
(SF-12 MCS) were collected prior to treatment, at six weeks and at 12 weeks.

Results

Group two (TEB=WES) had significant improvement in resting pain (p<0.05), pain on exertion (p<0.001), DASH total score
(p<0.05), DASH-Symptom score (p<0.05) and DASH-Work (p<0.05) at 12 weeks. There were significant differences in resting
pain (p<0.01), pain on exertion (p<0.05), percentage of grip strength of affected side/unaffected (elbow in flexion; elbow in
extension) (p<0.01; p<0.05 respectively), DASH total score (p<0.05), DASH-Symptom score (p<0.01) and DASH-Work score
(p<0.05) when measured between the two treatment groups. There were no significant differences for all outcome measures
except percentage of grip strength of affected side/unaffected (elbow in flexion) (p<0.05) at 12 weeks in Group one. The
combined use of tennis elbow band and wrist extension splint is more effective in reducing pain, increasing grip strength and
improving functioning than isolated use of tennis elbow band for patients with tennis elbow.

HOSPITAL AUTHORITY CONVENTION 2015

191