Musculoskeletal (Elbow)

Question 1

What do you look for on inspection?

Answer 1

Ask patient to stand with arms loosely by sides, note carrying angle and looked for fixed flexion deformity
Look for: scars, swelling, skin changes, rheumatoid nodules, muscle wasting

Question 2

What do you look for on palpation?

Answer 2

Temperature of skin and joints

flex elbow to 90 degrees and palpate radial head, medial and lateral epicondyles and olecranon process for tenderness

Question 3

How do you assess the ROM?

Answer 3

Assess actively - flex/ext/pro/sup

Assess same passively, feel for crepitus

Question 4

How do you assess function?

Answer 4

Ask patient to move hand to mouth, check both sides

Question 5

What are some special tests?

Answer 5

Assess for medial epicondylitis (golfers elbow) - supinated arm, ask patient to make a fist and flex their wrist against resistance - pain will be felt at the medial epicondyle 
Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) - pronated arm, ask the patient to make a fist and extend their wrist against resistance - pain will be felt at the lateral epicondyle (origin of the extensor muscles)

Question 6

How do you conclude?

Answer 6

Assess neurovascular status of limb

Examine the ipsilateral shoulder and wrist/hand