Electrotherapeutic Interventions for Tennis Elbow or Lateral Epicondylitis: A Brief Review of the Literature

Abstract

Lateral Epicondylitis (LE) or tennis elbow is a painful and functionally limiting entity affecting the upper limb and hand. The lack of sufficient understanding regarding its pathophysiology has led to a large number of treatment approaches in physiotherapy practice including electrotherapeutic interventions. In the current review we evaluated recent trials and reviews of electrotherapeutic interventions for LE treatment for evidence supporting their use. For this purpose, a review of the literature on the effectiveness of low level laser therapy, ultrasound, phonophoresis, shortwave diathermy, electromagnetic field therapy, iontophoresis and extracorporeal shock wave therapy for LE was carried out. In conclusion, the literature to date has assessed the effect of a range of electrotherapeutic interventions on various outcomes for LE. At present, use of selected electrotherapeutic intervention with stretching/strengthening exercises are indicated. At this time, in the light of literature, none of the currently used electrotherapeutic intervention can be refuted in the treatment of LE.