Conservative chiropractic care of lateral epicondylitis.

OBJECTIVE

To discuss the management of a patient with lateral epicondylitis refractory to previous medical and conservative interventions.

CLINICAL FEATURES: A 45-year-old woman had difficulty in supinating her left elbow because of pain from activities at work. Standard tests demonstrated and reproduced pain at the lateral epicondyle with resisted extension of the wrist and fingers.

INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: Specific joint manipulation for relief of lateral epicondylitis was performed. Immobilization of the elbow joint after manipulation was accomplished by means of a sugar tong plaster splint. Follow-up joint manipulation with a progressive rehabilitation program was effective in providing relief of symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Resolution of pain and limited elbow motion was demonstrated after Mills' manipulation.