Year: 2024 | Month: September | Volume: 11 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 112-125
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20240914
Evidence-Based Update on Physical Modalities in Upper Limb Tendinopathies: A Systematic Review
Thomas Erwin Christian Junus Huwae1, Panji Sananta1, Vivid Prety Anggraini2, Agung Riyanto Budi Santoso1, Achmad Zaini2
1Department of Orthopaedic and Traumatology, 2Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya – Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia
Corresponding Author: Thomas Erwin Christian Junus Huwae
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The most prevalent conditions among upper limb tendinopathies are lateral elbow tendinopathy and rotator cuff tendinopathy. Physical modalities are administered as an extra kind of treatment, particularly to lessen pain and enhance function. This study aims to assess the efficacy of different physical modalities in the treatment of upper limb tendinopathies.
Methods: Between January 1, 2018, and October 31, 2022, PubMed and ScienceDirect were searched for randomized controlled studies, including physical modalities. The PEDro score was utilized to determine the risk of bias.
Results: Ten studies were included. Nine RCTs were conducted on lateral elbow tendinopathy compared to one on rotator cuff tendinopathy. Within-group improvements in pain and function were significant, although other studies found that between-group changes were inconsistent.
Conclusion: Several of these studies also included therapeutic exercise in addition to the pain—and function-improving effects of each modality. However, pain and function both improved with the addition of physical modalities. More research must be conducted before it can be decided which modality is optimal.
Keywords: physical therapy modalities, systematic review, tendinopathy, upper extremity.
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