Abstract

Classic tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, has been described as an overuse or misuse injury resulting in a tendinitis. The extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) and extensor digitorum communis (EDC) have been implicated as primary culprits in this pathology. Tennis elbow has been treated using a constrictive band placed several centimeters distal to the origin of these two muscles. Aircast has developed a new style of band that employs an air-filled bladder as the counterpressure element. This study tested the effect of both standard and Aircast bands on EMG activity of the EDC and ECRB proximal to the band compared to control values. The Aircast caused a significant reduction in IEMG of the ECRB and EDC when compared with control values and the standard band. The decrease in IEMG with the standard band was not statistically significant. This may begin to provide an explanation for the anecdotal reports of the clinical effectiveness of the air-bladder type of counter-force bracing. Verf.-Referat (gekuerzt)