Prevalence of Scapulothoracic Joint Dysfunction in Patients with Lateral Epicondylitis

Abstract

Background: Lateral epicondylitis is a cumulative trauma disorder or repetitive motion disorder which is characterized by pain in the lateral epicondyle of humerus. This condition is mainly seen in individuals those who have repeated use of elbow like housewives, cooks, heavy load lifter, tennis player, painters, plumbers, carpenters, auto workers and in even butchers. As human body work as a unit. It is a kinetic chain if there is problem elsewhere in a body then nearby structures may also get affected. The patients those who have lateral epicondylitis are either avoid the movements of affected hand or do trick movements due to which proximal muscles undergo into weakness and it will leads to scapulothoracic joint dysfunction. This study was conducted to find out scapulothoracic joint dysfunction in patients with lateral epicondylitis.Objective: To find out prevalence of scapulothoracic joint dysfunction in patients with lateral epicondylitis.Method: An observational study was carried out using a cross sectional study design. The study was conducted in the city of Karad, Maharashtra. Study was conducted using a sample size of 21 patients with lateral epicondylitis (n= 4pq/L 2 ) for a period of 6 months. The inclusion criteria was 30-50 years of age group and both male and female were included who were having lateral epicondylitis and exclusion criteria was the subjects with upper quadrent musculoskeletal problems and any thoracic surgery within past 6 months and subjects who have any spinal deformity like scoliosis. Result:The results showed that there was significant dysfunction in scapulothoracic joint in patients with lateral epicondylitis by using DASH questionnaire, scapular retraction test and scapular load test. Conclusion:On the basis of the result of the study, it was concluded that there is significant dysfunction in the scapulothoracic joint in patient with lateral epicondylitis.