Elbow Tests

Question 1

Cozen’s Test

Answer 1

Purpose: lateral epicondylitis

Positive: pain at lateral epicondyle

(putting strain on wrist extensors)
pt: sitting
PT: stabilize at lateral epicondyle
pt: make fist, pronate, radially deviate, extend wrist

Question 2

Mill’s Test

Answer 2

Purpose: lateral epicondylitis

Positive: pain at lateral epicondyle

(stretching wrist extensors)
pt: sitting
PT: palpate lateral epicondyle; pronate, ulnar deviate, flex wrist, extend elbow

also tests for radial n compression

Question 3

Maudsley’s Test

Answer 3

Purpose: lateral epicondylitis

Positive: pain at lateral epicondyle

pt: sitting, shoulder flexed, elbow extended
PT: apply resistance to extended middle finger, distal to PIP

Question 4

Medial Epicondylitis / Golfer’s Elbow Test

Answer 4

Purpose: medial epicondylitis

Positive: pain at medial epicondyle

(stretching wrist flexors)
pt: sitting
PT: palpate medial epicondyle; supinate, ulnar deviate, extend wrist and elbow

Question 5

Medial Epicondylitis (passive) Test

Answer 5

Purpose: medial epicondylitis

Positive: pain at medial epicondyle

(putting strain on wrist flexors)
pt: sitting
PT: palpate medial epicondyle
pt: supinate, make fist, ulnar deviate, flex wrist

Question 6

Valgus Stress Test (static)

Answer 6

Purpose: valgus instability

Positive: laxity, pain

pt: supine, supinate
PT: stabilize elbow and wrist, palpate MCL; apply valgus force, guard against ER

Question 7

Valgus Stress Test (moving)

Answer 7

Purpose: partial MCL tear

Positive: pain between 120-170˚ elbow flexion

pt: supine, supinate, shoulder abduction
PT: stabilize elbow and wrist, palpate MCL; apply valgus force and elbow flexion

Question 8

Varus Stress Test (static)

Answer 8

Purpose: varus instability

Positive: laxity, pain

pt: supine, supinate, 20-30˚ elbow flexion
PT: stabilize elbow and wrist, palpate LCL; apply varus force

Question 9

Push-up Sign

Answer 9

Purpose: posterolateral instability

Positive: apprehension, pain, radial head dislocation

pt: all 4s, supinate test arm; bend into arm
PT: palpate radial head

Question 10

Tabletop Relocation Test

Answer 10

Purpose: posteriolateral instability

Positive: radial head dislocation, relief with anterior push

pt: back to table, hands supinated on table, flex elbows
PT: palpate radial head

Question 11

Chair Sign

Answer 11

Purpose: posterior band of MCL injury

Positive: pain

pt: sitting, supinated, push up from chair to standing

Question 12

Posterolateral Pivot Shift Test

Answer 12

Purpose: posteriolateral instability

Positive: apprehension, radial head dislocation

pt: supine, shoulder flexion, elbow extension, supinate
PT: stabilize wrist and elbow, apply axial compression and valgus stress, flex elbow

Question 13

Tinnel’s Sign (Radial and Ulnar NN)

Answer 13

Purpose: indicates point of n regeneration

Positive: tingling in area of n distribution

• radial n: dorsal 1-3
• ulnar n: 5 and half of 4

PT: tap nerve

• radial n: on top of supinator
• ulnar n: olecranon process/medial elbow

Question 14

Pinch Grip Test

Answer 14

Purpose: anterior interosseous n pathology (branch of median n)

Positive: pad-to-pad instead of tip-to-tip pinch

pt: pinch tips of index and thumb

Question 15

Elbow Flexion Test

Answer 15

Purpose: cubital tunnel syndrome (unlar n compression)

Positive: tingling in area of ulnar n distribution
(5 and half of 4)

pt: hold elbow flexion, wrist extension, depression, 90˚ shoulder abduction for 3-5 minutes

Question 16

Pronator Teres Test

Answer 16

Purpose: pronator teres syndrome (median n compression)

Positive: tingling in area of median n distribution
(volar 2.5-5 and tips)

pt: sitting, elbow flex 90˚, supinate
PT: resist pronation as pt punches arm forward

Question 17

Supinator Test

Answer 17

Purpose: radial n and posterior interosseous n compression

Positive: tingling in area of radial n distribution
(dorsal 1-3, no tips)

pt: resist supination at 90˚ elbow flexion