Wrist Extensor Training With Blood Flow Restriction for the Management of Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy: A Case Report

Lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET) is a common overuse injury with complex underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. Although several modes of exercise with or without passive interventions have been recommended as the first-line treatment option of the condition, their effectiveness remains inconclusive. The aim of this case report is to evaluate the effect of wrist extensor exercises with blood flow restriction (BFR) as an add-on intervention to a multi-modal physiotherapy programme to improve outcomes in a patient with LET. A 51-year-old male patient presented with a history of right LET for six months. Interventions included wrist extension exercise with BFR, a two-stage progressive loading training programme of the upper limb, soft-tissue massage, education and a home exercise programme for six weeks (12 visits). A substantial improvement in pain intensity, pain-free grip strength, Patient Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation score and self-perceived recovery was reported at three-, six-, and 12-week follow-up measurements. A 21% reduction in pressure pain thresholds at the lateral epicondyle was found immediately after wrist extensor exercise with BFR. Based on our findings, adding wrist extensor exercises with BFR to a multimodal physiotherapy programme seems a promising approach to improve the treatment outcome in LET. Nonetheless, further research is needed to confirm the present results.