Thermography in the evaluation of “tennis elbow” treatment of a violinist – case report

Measurements during physical therapy and rehabilitation process are considerable contribution to the patient and therapist cooperation, better compliance and persistence. In this regard, thermography (TG) as a diagnostic method can be very helpful. It is also suitable for tracking the course of the disease because it may show activation or calming the process and can be repeated without harm to the patient. Technological progress has now made it easy and economically acceptable use of TG via a smartphone with a FLIR camera. By elaborating the TG application process, while respecting the thermal environment during measurement (the desired temperature of the environment between 50 and 75 F), we will confirm the credibility of non-aggressive Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine procedures, as well as enable scientific monitoring and better interpretation of treatment results. Due to technological progress, we consider that there is a great potential for wider application of thermography in physical and rehabilitation medicine in the future. In this paper we have presented the course and effectiveness of treating the violinist with tenosynovits and epicondylitis of the left hand.