Tennis Elbow

[alophysio]

Hi,

A lot of people do use them but i don't think they really address the problem. Some fo the studies compare the braces to physiostherapy but i do not think the physiotherapy treatment they use is the Mulligans treatment but rather the "standard" treatment of massage, U/S, heat, exercises etc.

It would be interesting if someone wanted to do a study comparing the two...

From a purely experience point of view, the braces help temporarily but i find that specific taping and the MWMs along with the conditioning programme and stretches as outlined in the protocol are the best so far...

[alophysio]

I mentioned the protocol but realise it is not on this thread so i put it here again...

Protocol located at physio forum threadhere

Otherwise, you can download it here...The discussion in the thread listed was when Physio Forum was hosted differently and made uploading more difficult. But the file uploading is so much simpler now!!!

Please remember that this is not a magic reciepe. It is simply an aid to assist in the assessment and treatment of LE. It does not replace good clinical reasoning.

It also does not mean you now know how to do MWMs now that you have read a description of it. Please spend the little money it costs to do a proper Mulligans course and learn it properly under expert tuition. It is an art so you need to see how someone who knows what they are doing does it and get correction from them.

Thanks. Comments and questions always welcome.

[oscar]

Hi,

A lot of people do use them but i don't think they really address the problem. Some fo the studies compare the braces to physiostherapy but i do not think the physiotherapy treatment they use is the Mulligans treatment but rather the "standard" treatment of massage, U/S, heat, exercises etc.

It would be interesting if someone wanted to do a study comparing the two...

From a purely experience point of view, the braces help temporarily but i find that specific taping and the MWMs along with the conditioning programme and stretches as outlined in the protocol are the best so far...

my friend is currently doing his masters thesis looking at the effect of the cuff on EMG activity of the common extensor origin during submaximal exercise- I'll let you know the outcome when he finishes the study!

[matt4physio]

aplolgies allophysio it was indeed a typo and was meant to read 'not inflammatory,

thanks

[physio7]

Thanks for all the posts.

I have also had people using clasps to varying levels of benefit. One of the main problems I am finding is that the people who are presenting with tennis elbow are often self employed tradesmen who have to continue work which often aggravates there problem. I have foun braces/clasps useful for these patients as it can help relieve the strain of work.

I do agree ALOphysio about the need to be trained properly and i will look into this in the future.

Do you use the same principle for golfers elbow?
Do you use different MWM?

pressure pain threshold (ppt) is talked about tin the protocol what does this mean.

[alophysio]

Hi,

The MWM principle is usually applicable to most joints. The idea is to push the joint in such a way that it produces movement with >50% pain reduction. It can be used successfully with medial epicondylitis as well.

PPT (pressure point threshold) is where researchers developed a machine that applies a measurable force on to an area. The point at which pain is produced is noted. IN other words, is the area more sensitive to touch than to movement or gripping? These patients walk around protecting their elbows from people bumping it and don't readily allow you to touch it. They say the pain is unchanged when gripping or moving or it gets worse in a way that deosn't seem consistent with a movement based pattern.

For these people, central sensitisation is probably a big thing which is why Elvey's lateral glides are part of the treatment. A lot more C/S treatment in these people.

It is all about getting the right diagnosis then classification in order to provide the correct treatment and rehab.

THanks - i hope it helps!