title: Lateral epicondylalgia: a structured programme better than corticosteroids and NSAID.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate whether patients with lateral epicondylalgia had less pain or function loss two years following treatment by a structured programme and if the number of recurrent episodes and sick leave days differed compared with a control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  All of the patients were diagnosed by a physician with the diagnosis code M77.1 (lateral epicondylitis). The intervention group (n = 103) was treated by a physiotherapist and an occupational therapist with a home training programme that included ergonomic advice. Wrist supports and/or night bandages were also available. Controls (n = 194) were diversely treated by different professionals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the total study group (n = 297), 54% of the patients experienced pain and 55% experienced function loss after two years. The intervention group had less pain than patients treated with corticosteroid injections (p < 0.0001) or NSAIDs (p = 0.048) and experienced better function than those treated with corticosteroid injections (p = 0.002). The intervention group had a lower recurrence (p < 0.0001) and fewer sick leave days at the time of the visit to the health care centre (p = 0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A structured treatment programme was more effective than corticosteroid injections and NSAIDs. Patients did not require additional treatment or sick leave and had learned self-treatment of the disorder.
authors: Tandemkliniken, Tvååker Primary Health Care Centre, Varberg, Sweden. pia.nilsson@lthalland.se
authors: Pia
authors: P
authors: Nilsson
authors: Amir
authors: A
authors: Baigi
authors: Leif
authors: L
authors: Swärd
authors: Margareta
authors: M
authors: Möller
authors: Jörgen
authors: J
authors: Månsson
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012008:Recurrence; D012648:Self Care; D018582:Sick Leave; D013165:Splints; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013716:Tennis Elbow / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal