Elbow Evaluation and Intervention: Nerves & Special Tests

Question 1

Name the 3 Nerves that Course Through the Elbow

Answer 1

1. Radial
2. Median
3. Ulnar

Question 2

Sensation Innervation of the Ulnar Nerve

Answer 2

Ring and Little Finger

Question 3

Ulnar Nerve Deformity & Innervated Muscles

Answer 3

Claw Hand 
Affected: All interossei (ABB/ADD)
Ring & Little Lumbricals (MP Flex) 
FDP of the Ring & Little (DIP)
Hypothenar (Flat vs. tense)

Question 4

Sensation Innervation of the Radial Nerve

Answer 4

Lateral aspect of the forearm and radial side of dorsum of hand.

Question 5

Radial Nerve Deformity & Innervated Muscles

Answer 5

Wrist Drop

ECRB/L, EDC, EPL/B

Question 6

Sensation Innervation of the Median Nerve

Answer 6

Thumb, Index and Middle, Tips of fingers also

Question 7

Median Nerve Deformity & Innervated Muscles

Answer 7

Ape Hand- Benedictine Hand

FPL, ALL FDS, FDP, and the lumbricals of the index and middle finger.

Question 8

Ulnar Nerve Palpation

Answer 8

Ulnar nerve can be palpated in the cubital tunnel, located by the medial epi.
Can also be palpated at Guyon’s canal.

Question 9

Radial Nerve Palpation

Answer 9

Palpate medial to the ECRB attachment, may be trapped under the supinator.

Question 10

Median Nerve Palpation

Answer 10

Palpate between the biceps and brachial artery.

Can also be palpated by the flexor retnaculum.

Question 11

Tinel’sSign

Answer 11

Indicates Nerve Irritation

Tap on compression sites, + if sx. radiate in appropriate innervated area.

Question 12

Froment’s Sign

Answer 12

Indicates ulnar nerve entrapment at the wrist.
When a pt. is asked to lateral pinch, thumb flexes to make up for lack of adductor, Thumb IP flexion is a positive Froments.

Question 13

Cozen’s Test

Answer 13

Indicates lateral epicondylitis
Examiners thumb is on pt’s lateral epicondyle, pt. makes a fist, pronates, RD, wrist ext, while examiner resist motion.
+ if pain at lateral epi

Question 14

Golfer’s Elbow Test

Answer 14

Indicates Medial Epicondylitis
Palpate medial epi, pt. supinates, elbow and wrist flex resisted by examiner.
+ if pain at medial epi