Examination of and intervention for a patient with chronic lateral elbow pain with signs of nerve entrapment.

Background And Purpose: Lateral elbow pain has several causes, which can make diagnosis difficult. The purpose of this case report is to describe the examination of and the intervention for a patient with chronic lateral elbow pain who had signs of nerve entrapment.

Case Description: The patient was a 43-year-old woman who had right lateral elbow pain for about 4 months, which she attributed to extensive keyboard work on a computer. She had a reduction in joint passive range of motion during "neural tension testing," an examination procedure to detect nerve entrapment. This sign, in combination with other findings, suggested that the patient had a mild entrapment of the deep radial nerve (radial tunnel syndrome). The patient was treated 14 times over a 10-week period with "neural mobilization techniques," which are designed to free nerves for movement; ultrasound; strengthening exercises; and stretching.

Outcomes: The patient had minimal symptoms at discharge, was pain-free, and had resumed all activities at a 4-month follow-up visit.

Discussion: Neural tension testing may be a useful examination procedure and mobilization may be useful for intervention for patients who have lateral elbow pain.