Examination of and intervention for a patient with chronic lateral elbow pain with signs of nerve entrapment.
OBJECTIVE
Lateral elbow pain has several causes, which can make diagnosis difficult. The purpose of this case report is to describe the examination of and the intervention for a patient with chronic lateral elbow pain who had signs of nerve entrapment.


METHODS
The patient was a 43-year-old woman who had right lateral elbow pain for about 4 months, which she attributed to extensive keyboard work on a computer. She had a reduction in joint passive range of motion during "neural tension testing," an examination procedure to detect nerve entrapment. This sign, in combination with other findings, suggested that the patient had a mild entrapment of the deep radial nerve (radial tunnel syndrome). The patient was treated 14 times over a 10-week period with "neural mobilization techniques," which are designed to free nerves for movement; ultrasound; strengthening exercises; and stretching.


RESULTS
The patient had minimal symptoms at discharge, was pain-free, and had resumed all activities at a 4-month follow-up visit.


CONCLUSIONS
Neural tension testing may be a useful examination procedure and mobilization may be useful for intervention for patients who have lateral elbow pain.
Ekstrom
Richard A
RA
Department of Physical Therapy, University of South Dakota, 414 E Clark St, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA. rekstrom@usd.edu
Holden
Kari
K
D000328:Adult; D004550:Elbow / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009431:Neural Conduction; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011826:Radial Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome