Efficacy of Muscle Energy Technique with Plyometric Exercises in Chronic Lateral Epicondylitis

Background & Objective: Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is soft tissue disorder of the arm characterised by pain over lateral humeral epicondyle. It is a chronic overuse injury commonly affecting the common tendinous origin of the wrist extensors. The objective of the study was to find the effectiveness of Muscle Energy Technique (MET) with Plyometric Exercises on pain, functional performance and grip strength in Chronic Lateral Epicondylitis (CLE) participants. Study design: A randomized controlled study Setting: Institutional based musculoskeletal Physiotherapy outpatient department. Outcome measures: Numerical pain rated scale (NPRS), Patient rated tennis elbow evaluation (PRTEE), and Hand dynamometer (HD) Material & Methods: 30 participants with the CLE were included in the study. They were divided into two different groups; Group A: MET with Plyometric Exercises and Ultrasound Therapy (n=15) and Group B: Conventional physiotherapy which included Ultrasound Therapy with Stretching and Strengthening Exercises (n=15). The predefined treatment protocol was given for four weeks. The pain, functional performance and grip strength were assessed at baseline and post treatment (4th week) using NPRS, PRTEE and HD. Result: There was a significant decrease in pain, improvement in functional performance and grip strength (p<0.05) in both the groups. However, MET with Plyometric Exercises group was found to have a greater effect on all outcome measures in CLE participants Conclusion: The result of this study indicates that 4 weeks of MET with Plyometric Exercises was effective in improving pain, functional performance and grip strength in Chronic Lateral Epicondylitis (CLE) participants compared to the control group.