Special Tests - Elbow

Question 1

What does the resisted lateral epicodylitis test for?

Answer 1

Tennis elbow - Inflammation of the extensor tendons in the wrist that attach at the common extensor origin on the lateral epicondyle

• extensor carpi ulnaris
• extensor carpi radialis longus
• extensor carpi radialis brevis
• extensor digitorum

Question 2

How to perform the resisted lateral epicodylitis test?

Answer 2

Patient seated

Raise arm straight out infront of them with pronated fist

Support elbow and push down to resist extension

Question 3

What is a positive resisted lateral epicodylitis test

Answer 3

Pain over the lateral epicondyle on resistance

Question 4

Why does the resisted lateral epicodylitis test cause pain?

Answer 4

by resisting extension, causing contraction of extensor muscles, causes tendons to pull over lateral epicondyle - if they are irritated - will cause pain

Question 5

what is the lateral epicondylitis passive stretch test for?

Answer 5

Tennis elbow - Inflammation of the extensor tendons in the wrist that attach at the common extensor origin on the lateral epicondyle

• extensor carpi ulnaris
• extensor carpi radialis longus
• extensor carpi radialis brevis
• extensor digitorum

Question 6

How to perform lateral epicondylitis passive stretch test?

Answer 6

Ask if patient is in pain at any point:

1. arms by side
2. Passively flex elbow to end of range & fully pronate open hand
3. with pronated hand, move into full extension
4. bring elbow back into full flexion, keep pronated and ADD wrist flexion
5. move through full extension

Repeat on affected side

Question 7

What is a positive lateral epicondylitis passive stretch test?

Answer 7

pain over the lateral epicondyle

Question 8

why does lateral epicondylitis passive stretch test cause pain?

Answer 8

Gradually increasing the amount of stretch in the tendons - if irritated, might cause more pain

Question 9

What is the medial epicondylitis passive stretch test for?

Answer 9

Golfers elbow

Irritation of flexor muscles of the wrist which attach at the CFO at the medial epicondyle

• flexor carpi ulnaris
• flexor carpi radialis
• palmar is longus

Question 10

how to perform a medial epicondylitis passive stretch test?

Answer 10

Ask if pain at any stage:

1. passively flex elbow to end range - add full supination
2. move through full extension
3. move back into full flexion, with full supination, ADD full wrist extension
4. Move into elbow extension

Repeat on affected side

Question 11

why does medial epicondylitis passive stretch test cause pain?

Answer 11

Gradually increasing the amount of stretch in the tendons - if irritated, might cause more pain

Question 12

what is a positive medial epicondylitis passive stretch test ?

Answer 12

Pain over the medial epicondyle