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Abstract

Background: Lateral epicondylitis is one of the common conditions in the elbow joint. Muscles andsoft tissue around the elbow are predominantly involved in lateral epicondylitis, studies identified thatextensor muscles specifically extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) is affected due to vigorous andrepeated wrist movements. Multiple management strategies have been identified ranging fromconservative to surgical, Cryotherapy to ergonomic advices, but still the results are inconclusive.
Objectives: The objective is to find out the effect of Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) and ActiveStretching on pain and grip strength in Lateral Epicondylitis.
Methodology: Quasi experimental study design with 42 sample size was selected for the study inconsideration of the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Study was approved by the institutional ethicalcommittee. The participants were divided into two groups, group I underwent myofascial releasetherapy with active stretching, and group II underwent only active stretching for 8 weeks, All participantsreceive treatment thrice weekly. The outcome measures selected were pain and grip strength.Pain was assessed through visual analog scale and the grip strength was assessed through Handheld Smedley spring dynamometer
Results: The results were analysed using Mann Whitney U test to compare the difference betweenthe experimental group and control group. The result shows that adding Myofasical release therapywith active stretching produce a significant improvement in pain reduction and the grip strength in thepatients with lateral epicondylitis.
Conclusion: The study concluded that adding MFR with active stretching produces significantreduction of pain and improvement of the function in lateral epidcondylitis.Key words: Lateral epicondylitis, Myofascial release therapy, Active stretching, Grip strength. Pain.