LATERAL EPICONDYLITIS

STEROID INJECTIONS FOR THE MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Objectives: To find out effectiveness of steroid injection for early management of lateral epicondylitis. Data Source: One hundred and twenty Patients of both genders presenting with unilateral lateral epicondylitis of less than two weeks duration reporting at Outpatient Department at Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Rawalpindi. Design of Study: Quasi experimental study. Setting: Out patient department of Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, which is the largest rehabilitation facility in the country at present offering a multidisciplinary approach in the management of disability and musculoskeletal disorders17. Period: 01 yrs. Results: Both groups had sixty cases each with a mean age of 35.1 ± 6.22 and 36.08 ± 5.98 respectively. There were 54(45 %) males and 66(55%) females. At four weeks and three months follow up assessments there was significant improvement in pain relief and pain free grip strength in the Group A(steroids) as compared to Group B (NSAIDs). Conclusions: Local steroid injection is an effective treatment with an advantage over nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Diclofenac). It results in a rapid and better relief of symptoms, which is sustained over a period of three months.