Background: Lateral elbow pain is a common musculoskeletal condition of the upper extremity. It can lead to marked dysfunction and decreased productivity at work. Persistent lateral elbow pain is often challenging to treat due to numerous treatment options with limited evidence to prove which is more efficacious. Purpose: The purpose of this case study is to outline the clinical decision making associated with treating persistent lateral elbow pain in a patient that displayed variable responses to care. Case Description: This case study examines a 33-year-old male with lateral elbow pain who was initially diagnosed with lateral epicondylalgia. His pain lasted over ten physical therapy visits despite conventional treatment interventions including manual therapy, trigger point dry needling, and various forms of therapeutic exercises including concentrics, eccentrics, and isometrics. Outcome Measures: The Quick Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) was used to assess this patient’s outcome. Discussion: Various treatments were performed with the patient discussed in this study due to changing symptoms and lasting pain. This case study presents the clinical reasoning behind treatment decisions based on patient response. While often therapeutic interventions have gradually positive outcomes, it is important to recognize and evaluate cases which show less clear immediate improvement.
Dissertation
Clinical Decision Making Associated with Persistent Lateral Elbow Pain: A Case Study
University of Iowa
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) , University of Iowa
Autumn 2019
Free to read and download, Open Access
Abstract
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Clinical Decision Making Associated with Persistent Lateral Elbow Pain: A Case Study
- Creators
- Claire Poppe - University of Iowa
- Contributors
- Laura Frey Law (Advisor)
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Project Type
- Case Report
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) , University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science
- Date degree season
- Autumn 2019
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- 8 pages
- Copyright
- Copyright © 2019 Claire Poppe
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Doctor of Physical Therapy Case Reports
- Record Identifier
- 9984110000602771
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