Effectiveness of kinesio taping on patients with lateral epicondylitis

The incidence of lateral epicondylitis is 1-3 % and frequently caused by repetitive strain injuries. Peak incidence is seen at 40-50ies in general population. Women have longer symptom duration and feel worse than men. Once it occurred, difficult to heal and if it is left without treatment, may last as long as 6 to 24 months becomming cronically and threatenning life quality. Conservative treatment is at first step. Surgical treatment is indicated after 6 months minimum.Taping is a choice within the physical treatment and rehabilitation methods. Kinesio Taping which is invented by Kenzo Kase, is a new adhesive taping metod. It is fleksible and well tolerates water. With some technics special to method, it has been used for different conditions.PURPOSE: In this study, effectiveness of kinesio taping, which started to be used in our country recently and becommming widely used, was studied in the treatment of lateral epicondylitisSUBJECTS: 15 women and 3 men of which mean age was 46,56 took part in the study. Mean symptom duration was 12,72 and 14 of the patients were affected at the dominant side.METHOD: Patients were divided into two groups and both received a treatment protocol consisting of Infrared, ultrasound, stretching, deep friction massage and strengthenning exercises. One of the groups had taping more, in order to see its effectiveness. For outcome measures; VAS, Nirschl Staging of Lateral Epicondylitis and Grip Strength Measures were assessed.RESULTS: When groups compared for the means of assessment protocol differences between the beginning and the control time, VAS and Nirschl Staging of lateral epicondylitis seen significantly better in the kinesio group.