Combining the Effects of Mobilization With Movement and Cyriax Physiotherapy in Lateral Epicondylitis: A Case Report

Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis (LE), is characterized by a gradual onset of pain over the lateral aspect of the elbow, particularly during wrist extension with a pronated or supinated hand. It is often exacerbated by gripping activities. Common symptoms include pain at the origin of wrist extensor tendons, reduced grip strength, and impaired upper limb function. The etiology may include trauma, degeneration, repetitive grasping, scar tissue formation, or contractures. Diagnosis is based on patient history, functional tests, and palpation of the lateral epicondyle. A 48-year-old woman, a homemaker complained of right elbow pain and swelling and was diagnosed with LE. Pain intensity was assessed with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and functional ability with Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE). This case report aims to evaluate the combined effect of mobilization with movement (MWM) and Cyriax physiotherapy on pain reduction and functional improvement in a patient with LE over a two-week intervention period. As a result of physical therapy sessions, pain levels decreased substantially, from 8/10 to 2/10 on the VAS, and improvement in functional ability went from 81/100 to 34/100 in PRTEE. This case suggests that combining MWM and Cyriax physiotherapy techniques may enhance pain relief and functional improvements in patients with LE. Further research with larger statistically significant samples is needed to confirm these findings.