Modern programs of physical therapy for patients diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis at the post-hospital stage

Abstract

Goal. To analyze and compare modern evidence-based methods of rehabilitation and their combination for people with ulnar epicondylitis at the post-hospital stage. Research methods. Analysis of literary sources from the scientometric databases of Physiopedia, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PEDro, MEDLINE / PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science, systematic analysis, synthesis and generalization of scientific and methodological literature. The results. Among the interventions that were used most often and with high effectiveness in current studies were: patient education, therapeutic exercises to strengthen the muscles of the scapula, wrist, elbow, mobilization of joints, soft tissues, kinesiotaping, and dynamic orthoses. As a rule, they combined therapeutic exercises and joint mobilization, kinesio taping with a home exercise program. However, many studies show limited efficacy of physical therapy and prioritize biological therapy or surgical treatment of LE. Conclusions. In the literature, many approaches to physical therapy of LE are presented, assumptions are made about its ineffectiveness in about 10% of patients who require surgical intervention. However, the problem of the "gold" standard of treatment has not yet been resolved. The most well-established physical therapy program is the dual rehabilitation program, but randomized controlled trials of its effectiveness are still ongoing.