ABSTRACT

Background of the study: Tennis Elbow/Lateral Epicondylitis is a work-related pain disorder of common extensor muscles, usually caused by excessive quick repetitive movements of wrist and forearm. The main objective of the study is to find the comparative analgesic effect of isometric and isotonic exercises on forearm extensors for lateral epicondylitis of elbow.

Methodology:  This was a comparative study with pre and post intervention.30 subject with tennis elbow were selected based on the inclusion criteria. Further the group was divided into 2 with 15 subjects in each group. The study duration was 4 weeks. Male and female subjects were included in this study. Age group between 30-50 years of age. Group A with 15 subjects were received isometric exercise and Group B with15 subjects received isotonic exercise for a period of 3 sets of 10 repetition for 4 weeks in alternative day. Pain and functional disability were assessed before and after the intervention session using the measurement toolsVAS (Visual analogue scale), andPRTEE (Patient- rated tennis elbow evaluation questionnaire). The special test done for confirming lateral epicondylitis were COZEN’S test and MILL’S TEST. 

Result: The result of this study shows that there was significant changes in outcome measures between the Group A (isometric exercise) and Group B (isotonic exercise)with P <0.0001.

Conclusion: The study concluded that isometric exercise is better than isotonic exercise on decreasing the pain and improving the functional activity of patients with lateral epicondylitis of elbow.

Keywords: Isometric exercise, isotonic exercise, Tennis elbow, Visual analogue scale (VAS), Patient-rated tennis elbow evaluation questionnaire (PRTEE).