Determining the Immediate Effects of Counterforce Bracing Versus Kinesiotaping in Patients With Tennis Elbow (LE)
Tennis Elbow
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Tennis Elbow focused on measuring tennis elbow, treatment, lateral epicondylitis, immediate effects
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age (18-70 years)
- Ability to provide written informed consent to participate
- Were at least three weeks from onset of symptoms
- Complaints of discomfort or pain at the lateral elbow region for a minimum of three weeks and tenderness with palpation of the lateral epicondyle
- Provocation of lateral elbow pain with one of the following test - resisted middle finger extension, resisted wrist extension or passive stretch of wrist extensors
Exclusion Criteria:
- History of surgery on affected elbow
- History of cortisone injections on the affected elbow in the past 4 weeks
- Any physical or mental limitations that precluded performance of the study testing
- Allergy to adhesive tapes
Sites / Locations
- The Hand and Upper Limb Centre, St. Joseph's Health Centre
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
Active Comparator
Kinesiotape (KT)
Counterforce elbow brace
Kinesiotape was used only on the affected side as per the manufacturer instructions. With the elbow extended, wrist fully flexed and fingers pointed down 24, KT was applied with slight stretch (10-15%) and paper off tension to the lateral arm beginning just above the bony portion of lateral epicondyle. Once the top strand was anchored, KT was applied along the side of elbow such that hole in the tape was over lateral epicondyle of the elbow. Two strands of tape followed the lateral forearm and ended at around beginning of the distal one third of forearm. Once the support was applied, KT was gently rubbed to activate the glue.
The counterforce brace was approximately 5cm wide with velcro attachment for adjustable girth. It had gel pack for extra support on extensor muscle mass. With the elbow extended, brace was applied 2.5cms below the lateral epicondyle. A feeling of comfortable compression, as reported by the patients was used to adjust the brace.