Lateral Epicondyle Tendinopathy Toolkit: Section F - Manual Therapy

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Original Editor - Kim Jackson uploaded for the BC Tendinopathy Task Force

Dr. Joseph Anthony, Paul Blazey, Dr. Allison Ezzat, Dr. Angela Fearon, Diana Hughes, Carol Kennedy, Dr. Alex Scott, Michael Yates and Alison Hoens

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Manual Therapy

Manual therapy is a modality used in rehabilitation to assess and treat various conditions. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) describes manual therapy as “skilled hand movements intended to improve tissue extensibility, increase range of motion, induce relaxation, mobilize or manipulate soft tissue and joints, modulate pain, and reduce soft tissue swelling, inflammation, or restriction”. It describes hands-on techniques used in rehabilitation to treat various conditions, such as:

• Massage
• manual lymphatic drainage
• manual traction
• mobilisation/manipulation
• passive range of motion

Manual therapy is one of the oldest recorded modalities and over the years it has seen many changes to its use and governance. It's use in the assessment and treatment of epicondylitis is often advocated.

Cyriax-Type Physiotherapy Treatment

Cyriax and Cyriax suggested the use of deep transverse friction massage in combination with mill's manipulation for the treatment of tennis elbow. In order to label the treatment intervention as Cyriax physiotherapy, both the treatment components mentioned above must be used jointly in the sequence specified. In this protocol, person must adhere to this intervention 3 times a week for duration of 4 weeks. Figures 1 and 2 and the accompanying descriptions are the components of this treatment approach.

A study by Viswas et al 2012 found that Cyriax physiotherapy was effective in reducing pain associated with LET

Deep Transverse Friction Massage (DTFM)

• Patient’s elbow is supported in a 90 degrees flexion, fully supinated position.
• DTFM is applied with the thumb at the common extensor tendon just anterior to the epicondyle.
• Frictions were applied for 10 minutes prior to the Mill’s manipulation.

Figure 1

Mill’s Manipulation

• Patient is in sitting with arm in abduction, internal rotation such that the olecranon faces upwards, forearm fully pronated and wrist in flexion. Therapist’s one hand supports the wrist flexion, the other hand placed over the olecranon.
• Maintaining this position the therapist applies a high velocity, low amplitude thrust through the olecranon.

Figure 2

Elbow Mobilization with Movement (MWM)

Mobilisations with movement is a manual therapy technique that forms part of the Mulligan Concept. MWM is the concurrent application of sustained accessory mobilization applied by a therapist and an active physiological movement to end range applied by the patient. Passive end-of-range overpressure, or stretching, is then delivered without pain as a barrier.

• Patient is in supine with their arm by their side, elbow extended and forearm pronated.
• A lateral glide is applied to the radius and ulna with the therapist’s hands or using a belt around the therapist’s shoulders.
• The patient then either grips or extends the wrist against resistance as long as this is now pain-free.
• 6-10 repetitions are performed in a single treatment session.

Figure 3

Spinal Mobilization/Manipulation

Spinal mobilization and manipulation are widely used techniques, where force is applied to the spinal joints, to treat pain in the extremities, back, and neck. Although the exact underlying mechanisms are not fully understood, treatment of dysfunctional areas in the spine can restore the spine’s structural integrity, reduce pain and initiate the body’s natural healing processes.

Lateral Glide Mobilization (Vicenzino et al 1996)

• Mobilizing hand wraps around the head and neck to the level of the C5/6 segment.
• A Grade III lateral glide is applied contralateral to the effected side.
• A depression force is applied to the ipsilateral shoulder girdle.

Figure 4

Cervical Manipulative Thrust (Fernández-Carnero et al 2008)

• Cervical spine is locked using side flexion towards and rotation away from the side to be manipulated.
• The high velocity, low amplitude thrust was directed superior and medially towards the opposite eye.

• NOTE: This technique should only be used by those who have been instructed in its use, and only following a complete assessment of the cervical arterial system.

Figure 5

Passive Intervertebral Mobilization (Cleland et al 2005)

Passive Physiological Mobilization

• Grade III or IV mobilization of the hypomobile segment found on assessment.
  

Figure 6

Passive Intervertebral Mobilization (Cleland et al 2005)

Passive Accessory Mobilization

• Grade III or IV mobilization of the hypomobile segment found on assessment.
  

Figure 7

Supporting Evidence

There is differing evidence to support the use of manual therapy to treat LET. The evidence is summarised below; for more information, please see Section D - Summary of the Evidence for Physical Therapy Interventions.

Elbow Joint Mobilisations

• Acute stage - There is minimal clinical evidence to support or refute the use of elbow mobilization in the acute stage.
• Chronic stage - There is a large amount of clinical evidence supporting the use of elbow mobilizations, (MWM and Mill’s Manipulation). Moderate effect sizes are demonstrated across all timeframes (immediate, short and long term). MWM shows favorable outcomes for pain, grip strength and function. Mill’s manipulation demonstrated effectiveness for pain but not pain free grip strength. The use of Mill’s manipulation for improved function is unclear.

Spinal Mobilization Techniques

• Acute stage - There is minimal clinical evidence or expert opinion on the use of spinal mobilization/manipulation for patients with acute LET.
• Chronic stage - Credible clinical evidence supports the use of cervical and thoracic mobilization/manipulation into the treatment of LET for improved pain, increased PPT, grip strength and function in the short-term. In one study a stronger effect was produced when delivered with a supportive and empathetic approach. Neuromobilization techniques (radial nerve) have been shown.

Soft Tissue Techniques

• Acute stage - Limited clinical evidence supports the use of soft tissue techniques as a stand alone treatment.
• Chronic stage - There is weak clinical evidence to support the use of soft tissue techniques such as frictions, in combination with other treatment modalities. Note: most of the studies which examined the effect of frictions included the use of Mill’s manipulation +/-exercise.

Resources

• Lateral Epicondyle Tendinopathy Toolkit page
• Section B - Clinical Assessment of LET
• Section C - Outcome Measures
• Section D - Summary of the Evidence
• Section E - Exercise Prescription
• Section G - LASER Dosage Calculation
• Section H - Braces, Splints and Taping
• UBC Lateral Epicondyle Tendinopathy Toolkit