Elbow Special Tests

Question 1

Ligament instability tests - test for what

Answer 1

Ligament laxity or restriction

Question 2

Ligament instability tests - how to perform

Answer 2

Pt sitting or supine
Entire UE supported and stabilized
Elbow placed in 20-0 flex
Valgus force applied (UCL)
Varus force applied (RCL)

Question 3

Lateral epicondylitis and epicondylopathy - tests for what

Answer 3

lateral epicondylopathy

Question 4

Lateral Epicondylitis test - how to perform

Answer 4

Pt sitting
Elbow in 90 flex and supported/stabilized
Resist wrist ext, radial dev, forearm pronation (all with fingers flexed)

Question 5

Medial epicondylitis test - tests for what

Answer 5

medial epicondylopathy

Question 6

Medial epicondylitis test - how to perform

Answer 6

Pt sitting
Elbow in 90 flex and supported/stabilized
Passively supinate forearm, extend elbow, and extend wrist

Question 7

Tinels sign - tests for what

Answer 7

Dysfunction of ulnar nerve at olecranon

Question 8

Tinels sign - how to perform

Answer 8

Tap region where ulnar nerve passes through cubital tunnel

Question 9

Pronator teres syndrome test - tests for what

Answer 9

median nerve entrapment within pronator teres

Question 10

Pronator teres syndrome test - how to perform

Answer 10

pt sitting
elbow flexed 90 degrees and supported/stabilized
resist forearm pronation and elbow extension

Question 11

Elbow flexion test - tests for what

Answer 11

presence of cubital tunnel syndrome

Question 12

Elbow flexion test - how to perform

Answer 12

Pt supine

Performed bilaterally with shoulder in full ER and elbow held actively in max flexion with wrist extension for 1 minute