Bilateral sensorimotor abnormalities in unilateral lateral epicondylalgia.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate impairments in motor function of the upper limb in unilateral lateral epicondylalgia.


METHODS
Assessor-blinded, case-controlled study.


METHODS
University laboratory.


METHODS
Forty participants with lateral epicondylalgia and 40 age- and sex-matched controls were recruited from the general community.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Wrist posture adopted during a grip test, grip strength force, as well as upper-limb reaction times and speed of movement.


RESULTS
Participants with unilateral lateral epicondylalgia adopted wrist postures that were on average 11 degrees less extended, bilaterally, than controls (P<.000). This was paralleled by increased upper-limb reaction times and reduced speed of movement (mean differences, 2%-15%) in both affected and unaffected limbs. Pain-free grip strength was reduced on the involved side (mean difference, 170N; 95% confidence interval, 144-195N).


CONCLUSIONS
Motor deficits may be modifiable through exercise and postural retraining. Although further work is required to evaluate the clinical efficacy of such an approach, health care practitioners have an emerging evidence base on which to base their management of lateral epicondylalgia.
Division of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia.
Leanne M
LM
Bisset
Trevor
T
Russell
Stephen
S
Bradley
Bernadette
B
Ha
Bill T
BT
Vicenzino
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011930:Reaction Time; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013716:Tennis Elbow / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014953:Wrist / Q000502:physiology