Elbow Evaluation Flashcards
History region specific
- connection to cervical spine: cervical ROM, radiating pain down arm
- neurological component: numbness/tingling, weakness, loss of grip
- position of elbow & activity when injured
- hand dominance
Red flags in the history taking
- insidious onset
- related to CV activity
- history of CV disease
- are the symptoms constant/unrelenting
- radiating symptoms across multiple dermatomes
- sudden onset of severe pain
Self assessments for elbow examination
- DASH: disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand
What is a normal carrying angle (extension) for males and females
- Females: 5-16 degrees
- Males: 5-14 degrees
Pathology suspected based on observation
- Swelling local to posterior tip: olecranon bursitis
- Diminished tip of olecranon: dislocation or fracture
- Altered carrying angle: non-union or mal-union of the humerus
- Nodules: RA (rheumatoid arthritis)
- Synovitis (inflammation at the joint line): RA (rheumatoid arthritis)
Elbow ROM
- Active flexion: 145 degrees
- Passive flexion: 160 degrees (hard end feel or soft tissue end feel)
- Extension: 0-15 degrees (hard end feel)
Vascular testing
- Brachial pulse
- Allen test
Describe the Allen test
- patency of the radial & ulnar arteries
- compress both arteries & have the patient make a fist 3-5 times until hand is pale
- release compression on one artery & note time to flush to normal color
- repeat with other artery & note difference between sides
Open packed position for the elbow
- about 70 degrees of flexion and slight supination
Closed packed position for humeroulnar and humeroradial
- Humereoulnar: full extension
- Humeralradial: full flexion and supination
Describe humeroulnar joint distraction
- test distraction: improves general mobility of flexion & extension
- test distraction at end range: improves end range motion
Describe radiohumeral joint distraction when fixed proximally/superiorly
- test distraction: improves general elbow extension & radial head mobility
Proximal radiohumeral joint posterior & anterior glide
- starting position in 70 degrees of flexion
- limited pronation: test posterior glide
- limited supination: test anterior glide
Pathology of cubital tunnel syndrome
- compression at the elbow
- persistent elbow flexion
- tensile force with valgus stress
Typical history for cubital tunnel syndrome
- numbness & tingling ulnar nerve distribution distal to elbow
- positional complaints
- trauma to elbow region
- repetitive elbow flexion tasks
- valgus stress
Examination of cubital tunnel syndrome
- Observation: atrophy of muscles supplied by ulnar nerve (FCU, FDP 4 &5, hypothernar muscles, ADD policies, lumbrical 4 & 5, dorsal & palmar interossei)
- palpation: tenderness over ulnar groove
- AROM/PROM: possible symptoms in full flexion
- RROM: symptom reproduction
- MMT: weakness of muscles supplied by the ulnar nerve
- Accessory movements: WNL (within normal limits)
Special tests for cubital tunnel syndrome
- Pressure provocation test (good test)
- Flexion test (good for ruling in test)
- Combined pressure & flexion test (good test)
- Tinel’s sign (good for ruling in test)
Typical history for MCL tear
- trauma with valgus stress or repetitive stress (throwing); may have heard a pop
- pain along medial elbow
- swelling
- bruising
- if complete rupture: instability
Describe the grades of MCL tears
- Grade 1: a small number of fibers are torn resulting in pain but full function
- Grade 2: a significant number of fibers are torn with pain & moderate loss of function
- Grade 3: all fibers are ruptured with elbow instability & major loss of function