Leech and Tennis Elbow (Epicondylitis)

In the study conducted on 40 patients, 20 of the patients received leech therapy, while the remaining 20 received 2 tubes of 300 mg diclofenac (Diclofenac–Natrium 10 mg/1g gel). The patients were asked to keep pain diaries and were subjected to tests measuring their pain levels.

When the patients who were called for control 3 days before the start of the treatment, on the day of the treatment, 7 days after the treatment and 45 days after the treatment were examined, a statistically significant decrease in the pain scores of the leech therapy group and a greater reduction in their pain compared to the gel treatment were observed.

As a result, leech therapy showed a significant reduction in pain levels at the end of 1 week and a decrease in the obstacles created by epicondylitis at the end of 45 days. As a side effect of leech therapy, no other issue was specified except itching for a few days and bleeding in the application areas for a day or two.

To access the article:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21368667/