Elbow Exam

Question 1

overall inspection of elbow

Answer 1

1. bony alignment
2. scars
3. swelling
4. erythema

Question 2

bony alignment commentary

Answer 2

should be slightly valgus – around 5 degrees in males and 10-15 degrees in females.

Question 3

outline swelling commentary

Answer 3

diffuse, olecranon bursa, and rheumatoid nodules, gouty tophi

Question 4

outline landmarks prior to palpation of elbow

Answer 4

1. olecranon
2. olecranon bursa
3. rheumatoid nodules over the posterior ulnar border
4. triceps tendon
5. lateral epicondyle. (tenderness may indicate wrist extensor pain– lateral epicondylitis– tennis elbow)
6. medial epicondyle (wrist flexors– pain indicates golf elbow)
7. ulnar nerve- lies in the groove between medial epicondyle and olecranon.

Question 5

pain in lateral epicondyle might indicate pain in wrist ___ , aka __ elbow

Answer 5

lateral = extensor = tennis elbow

Question 6

pain in medial epicondyle might indicate pain in wrist __ aka ___ elbow

Answer 6

medial= flexor = golfers elbow

Question 7

active and strength test motions

Answer 7

1. flexion (normal is 135)
2. extension (normal should be 0–5)
3. supination with elbow at waist
4. pronation with elbow at waist

Question 8

two special tests for ligamentous stability

Answer 8

1. medial collateral test: place valgus stress on elbow, notice any tenderness of gapping.
2. lateral collateral test: place varus stress on elbow, notice any tenderness of gapping.