Treatment of Supraspinatus Tendonitis and Latera

Treatment of Supraspinatus Tendonitis and Lateral Epicondylitis with ActiPatch Therapy, Dr. Michael Brady, D.C

Dr. Brady explains: "Supraspinatus Tendonitis is a powerful inflammation of the tendon sheath, which inserts into the superior facet on the greater tubercle of the humerus. Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) is characterized by pain and inflammation at or just distal to the lateral, epicondyle of the humerus. Both conditions are musculoskeletal in nature and tend to occur due to repetitive forceful movements. Historically, treatments have consisted of injection, physical therapy, ultrasound, cryotherapy, and when all else fails, surgical intervention.

"A new lightweight, portable device (ActiPatch(TM) -- BioElectronics Corp.) has shown to decrease the pain and inflammation associated with both conditions. The ActiPatch(TM) 500 is a pulse electromagnetic therapy that reduces swelling and pain while enhancing the time factor involved with the healing process of both Supraspinatus Tendonitis and Lateral Epicondylitis.

"I chose six patients in total to apply the patch, four with Supraspinatus Tendonitis and two with Lateral Epicondylitis. The patients with Supraspinatus Tendonitis applied the patch to the posterior portion of the deltoid, parallel with the Supraspinatus Tendon of the greater tubercle of the humerus. The two patients with the Lateral Epicondylitis applied the ActiPatch(TM) 500 to the brachio-radialis muscle over the lateral epicondyle. The six patients wore the ActiPatch(TM) continuously during work and sleeping hours. During the other times of the day the patients were instructed on adjunctive treatment with a six-day protocol, in which the ActiPatch(TM) was not worn. The adjunctive treatment consisted of icing the area for the first 48 hours and nothing but moist heat the last 48 hours.

"At the end of the six-day protocol, all six patients showed significant decrease in swelling and pain response. The four patients with Supraspinatus Tendonitis also showed some additional benefit with range of motion. All six patients revealed positive results. I feel that the electromagnetic current the patients were receiving during sleep and work allowed for a more enhanced healing time, and a better outcome for both tendon conditions. Since the unit is so lightweight, inexpensive, portable and non-narcotic, I would suggest further research into both these conditions. I also feel that further investigation of tendon injuries such as Pre-Patellar Tendonitis and Stenosing-Tenosynovitis should be researched and studied with the use of the ActiPatch(TM) as a stand alone therapy."