Physiotherapy Applications in Lateral Epicondylitis

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) and high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) in improving pain, grip strength, and function in patients with lateral epicondylitis. A total of 42 volunteer patients aged 18-65 were enrolled at Balıkesir Private Sevgi Hospital physical medicine polyclinic. Participants were randomly assigned into three groups: group 1 received conventional physiotherapy, group 2 received physiotherapy plus ESWT, and group 3 received physiotherapy plus HILT. Physiotherapy was applied for 2 weeks, totaling 10 sessions. ESWT and HILT were each administered twice weekly for 2 weeks, totaling 4 sessions. Pain was measured using the visual analog scale (VAS), grip strength with a hand dynamometer, and function using the Duruöz Hand Index and PRTEE-T questionnaire. Evaluations were performed before treatment, after 2 weeks, and one month post-treatment.