Journal Article

Manipulation of the Wrist for Management of Lateral Epicondylitis: A Randomized Pilot Study

Pieter-Jan Damen, Peter AA Struijs, C Niek van Dijk, Eric WP Bakker, Leendert Blankevoort, Willem JJ Assendelft

2003

Overview

Background and Purpose. Lateral epicondylitis (“tennis elbow”) is a common entity. Several nonoperative interventions, with varying success rates, have been described. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of 2 protocols for the management of lateral epicondylitis: (1) manipulation of the wrist and (2) ultrasound, friction massage, and muscle stretching and strengthening exercises. Subjects and Methods. Thirty-one subjects with a history and examination results consistent with lateral epicondylitis participated in the study. The subjects were randomly assigned to either a group that received manipulation of the wrist (group 1) or a group that received ultrasound, friction massage, and muscle stretching and strengthening exercises (group 2). Three subjects were lost to follow-up, leaving 28 subjects for analysis. Follow-up was at 3 and 6 weeks. The primary outcome measure was a global measure of improvement, as assessed on a 6-point scale. Analysis was performed using independent t tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and Fisher exact tests. Results. Differences were found for 2 outcome measures: success rate at 3 weeks and decrease in pain at 6 weeks. Both findings indicated manipulation was more effective than the other protocol. After 3 weeks of intervention, the success rate in group 1 was 62%, as compared with 20% in group 2. After 6 weeks of intervention, improvement in pain as measured on an 11-point numeric scale was 5.2 (SD=2.4) in group 1, as compared with 3.2 (SD=2.1) in group 2. Discussion and Conclusion. Manipulation of the wrist appeared to be more effective than ultrasound, friction massage, and muscle stretching and strengthening exercises for the management of lateral epicondylitis when there was a short-term follow-up. However, replication of our results is needed in a large-scale randomized clinical trial with a control group and a longer-term follow-up.

• Publisher: American Physical Therapy Association,Oxford University Press
• Subject: Adult / Care and treatment / Comparative analysis / Female / Hand Strength / Humans / Male / Manipulation, Chiropractic - methods / Middle Aged / Physical therapy / Pilot Projects / Repetitive motion disorders / Tennis elbow / Tennis Elbow - therapy / Treatment Outcome / Ultrasonic Therapy / Wrist