Comparison of conservative treatment of lateral epicondylitis with wrist splint and epicondylitis band: assessing patient compliance and clinical outcomes

Abstract

Aim: Lateral epicondylitis, commonly known as "tennis elbow," is a prevalent condition affecting middle-aged individuals. The lack of a universally accepted treatment protocol has led to a variety of conservative options, including wrist splints and epicondylitis bands. However, limited research exists comparing the clinical outcomes and patient compliance associated with these two treatment modalities.

Materials and Methods: A total of 120 patients diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis were enrolled in this comparative study. Cohort A (n=62) received treatment with a wrist splint, while Cohort B (n=58) received an epicondylitis band. Patient adherence to the prescribed orthosis was monitored during follow-up visits. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores.

Results: Patients in Cohort A exhibited significantly higher adherence rates (90.3%) to wrist splint usage throughout the treatment process compared to Cohort B (60.3%) with epicondylitis bands (p<0.001). At the end of the sixth week, Cohort A demonstrated superior MEPS scores (p<0.001) compared to Cohort B, but there was no statistically significant difference in VAS scores (p=0.149). Both treatment groups showed significant improvement in VAS and MEPS scores compared to baseline (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Our study emphasizes the importance of patient compliance in achieving successful outcomes for lateral epicondylitis treatment with orthoses. Wrist splints demonstrated better patient adherence and superior clinical results compared to epicondylitis bands. Proper patient education and clear instructions on orthosis usage are crucial for treatment success.