Non-Operative — Medial/Lateral Epicondylalgia

Massachusetts General Hospital · MGH Sports Medicine

Weight-Bearing

N/A — non-operative; activity modification throughout

Key Restrictions

Minimize aggravating activities; wrist stretches at 90 deg elbow flexion Phase II (progressing to full extension Phase III); eccentric loading emphasized Phase III; joint protection and ergonomics education Phase II+

Timeline & Phases

3 phases: Phase I (0-2 wks, acute — STM/IASTM, dry needling, joint mob/manipulation, BFR, splinting/taping, nerve mob, stretching, modalities), Phase II (2-4 wks, sub-acute — wrist F/E isometrics, scapular stabilization, wrist stretches at 90 deg elbow flex), Phase III (4-6+ wks, late/chronic — eccentric/concentric wrist F/E and forearm P/S, MWM, wrist stretches at full elbow extension, plyometrics program)

Notes

Revised April 2021; covers BOTH medial (flexor-pronator) and lateral (ECRB) epicondylalgia; eccentric loading Phase III; MWM (mobilization with movement); RTS criteria: 90% strength vs contralateral; PRTEE and DASH outcome measures; differential diagnosis includes radial tunnel syndrome, ulnar nerve entrapment, C6 cervical pathology. [Archived copy — original Massachusetts General Hospital URL retired in the Mass General Brigham site migration; Wayback snapshot 2026-02-28.]

Surgeon / Author

MGH Sports Medicine

Published

April 2021