Dry needling in lateral epicondylitis: a prospective controlled study

Uygur E., Aktas B., Ozkut A., Erinc S., Yilmazoglu E. G.

INTERNATIONAL ORTHOPAEDICS, vol.41, pp.2321-2325, 2017 (Peer-Reviewed Journal) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 41
  • Publication Date: 2017
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s00264-017-3604-1
  • Journal Name: INTERNATIONAL ORTHOPAEDICS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded, Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.2321-2325
  • Keywords: Dry needling, Lateral epicondylitis, Tennis elbow, Needling therapy, PLATELET-RICH PLASMA, CONTROLLED-TRIAL, PAIN, TENDINOPATHY, METAANALYSIS, ACUPUNCTURE, THERAPIES, PLACEBO, TENNIS, BLOOD

Abstract

Purpose Lateral epicondylitis (LE), a common disease, especially in middle age, causes decreased productivity and economic losses. The first-line treatment for LE is conservative and consists of topical and oral anti-inflammatory drugs, ice application, and brace use. If the first-line treatment fails, second-line treatment modalities, which are generally invasive, are offered. Second-line therapeutic regimens include saline, corticosteroid, or platelet-rich plasma injections. Dry needling is relatively new. We hypothesized that dry needling would be at least as effective as first-line treatment for LE. We compared the outcomes of first-line treatment and dry needling.