Ultrasound is a therapeutic modality commonly used for the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions such as tendinitis, bursitis, and arthritis. Few well-designed studies have adequately addressed the clinical efficacy of this treatment. This study will prospectively evaluate, in a controlled, double-blinded design, the efficacy of ultrasound in lateral epicondylitis and supraspinatus tendinitis. Subjects receive a total of 3 weeks of treatment or mock ultrasound, followed by traditional physical therapy for 2 to 3 weeks should their symptoms persist. Outcome measures include visual analogue pain recording, a pain disability rating, and pressure algometry. Forty patients were admitted to the protocol. Data are now being analyzed. No significant side effects were observed. This study was completed in March 1996.
