title: The application of mechanical diagnosis and therapy in lateral epicondylalgia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  lateral epicondylalgia (LE) is a musculoskeletal diagnosis that causes pain and dysfunction in the lateral aspect of the elbow. Mechanical diagnosis and therapy (MDT) is an orthopaedic classification and treatment system based on mechanical and symptomatic response to repeated and sustained end-range movement. There has been no investigation of the association between MDT and patients diagnosed with LE.
  
  
  METHODS
  this report presents three patients matching the currently accepted diagnostic criteria for LE, two with a diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) from a medical doctor. These patients were classified and treated by a diplomat of MDT and two third-year doctoral students of physical therapy using MDT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  short- and long-term (one year) outcomes were excellent, demonstrating rapid abolishment of symptoms and return to prior levels of function in 3-6 visits between 11-59 days. Patients demonstrated the ability to prevent and manage reoccurrence of symptoms independently without seeking further health care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  this case series raises questions about whether or not the pathologies traditionally associated with the aetiology of LE are actually at fault. Moreover, it raises questions about the utility of special tests typically utilized to identify those structures. The series provides preliminary evidence that MDT may be capable of providing effective short- and long-term outcomes in the management of LE.
  
  
  METHODS
  4.
authors: Maccio Physical Therapy, Troy, NY, USA.
authors: Joseph R
authors: JR
authors: Maccio
authors: Maccio Physical Therapy, Troy, NY, USA.
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Fink
authors: Integrated Mechanical Care, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Yarznbowicz
authors: Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK.
authors: Stephen
authors: S
authors: May
keywords: Case series; Lateral epicondylalgia; Mechanical diagnosis and therapy