Hand function and its determinants in patients with lateral epicondylitis

Abstract

Background: Hand function is an important aspect of most of the activities of daily living. There are many conditions that cause direct impact on hand function but few of musculoskeletal conations indirectly influence the hand function but often ignored in rehabilitation. Objective: The aims of this study were to analyse the hand function among lateral epicondylitis (LE) patients and identify the influence of various parameters (Age, dominance, pain, range of motion (ROM), and chronicity) that may influence the hand function. Methods: Eighty six LE patients participated in this cross sectional study. The hand function was assessed using Perdue peg board along with various other parameters like age, dominance, pain, range of motion, and chronicity. Results: There was a significant difference between the hand function of affected and unaffected extremity (p<0.001, effect size of 0.425). Pain severity, chronicity of LE and wrist extension was strongly related to hand function with R value of -0.910, -0.788 and 0.698 respectively. Conclusions: The results highlight the possible hand function compromise among patients with LE. Out of all the assessed parameters pain severity, wrist extension ROM and chronicity of condition were associated with hand function compromise.