Login or Register to unlock everything MedSchool has to offer!

The Elbow Exam

Examination of the elbows is performed to identify and localise pathology affecting the bones, joints or soft tissues associated with the elbow.

Positioning: Patient standing

The Patient

Around the Room

Mobility devices, sling, brace, cast etc.
General Features

Age, gender, general comfort, scars

Look

Feel

Move

Special Tests - Stability

Varus Stability Test

Radial collateral ligamentous laxity

Hold forearm, gently stress medial side of joint, look for increased joint laxity
Valgus Stability Test

Ulnar collateral ligamentous laxity

Hold forearm, gently stress lateral side of joint, look for increased joint laxity

Special Tests - Epicondylitis

Read More...

Andrews JR, Wilk KE, Satterwhite YE, Tedder JL. Physical examination of the thrower's elbow. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1993 Jun; 17(6): 296-304. Donaghy M. Enlarged peripheral nerves. Practical Neurology. 2003 Feb 1;3(1):40-5. Donaghy M. Enlarged peripheral nerves. Practical Neurology. 2003;3:40-45. Hausman M. Examination of the Elbow: Current Concepts. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 2014; 39(12): 2534-2541. Heithoff SJ. Cubital tunnel syndrome: Ulnar nerve subluxation. J Hand Surg. 2010;35:1556-1556. Hofwegen CV, Baker CL. Epicondylitis in the Athletes Elbow. Clinics in Sports Medicine. 2010 Oct; 29(4): 577-597. Meyer NJ, Lyon RM. Lateral elbow ecchymosis as a clinical sign of lateral humeral condylar fractures. Am J Orthop. 2003;32:260-261. Milch H. Treatment of humeral cubitus valgus. Clinical orthopaedics. 1955;6:120-125. Nuttall, David. Assessing elbow assessment, past, present and future. Shoulder & elbow. 2010 Jun; 2(1): 43. O'Driscoll SWM, Lawton RL, Smith AM. The Moving Valgus Stress Test for Medial Collateral Ligament Tears of the Elbow. Am J Sports Med. 2005;33:231-239. Research Committee, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons. A standardised assessment of elbow function. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. 1999 Jul; 8(4): 351-354. Sardelli M, Tashjian RZ, MacWilliams BA. Functional Elbow Range of Motion for Contemporary Tasks. The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery. 2011;93:471-477. Saroja G, Aseer P. Diagnostic Accuracy of Provocative Tests in Lateral Epicondylitis. International Journal of Physiotherapy and Research. 2014;2:815-823. Wallmann HW. Overview of Elbow Orthopedic Special Tests. Home Health Care Management & Practice. 2010;22:507-508. Zaidman CM, Pestronk A. Nerve size in chronic inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy varies with disease activity and therapy response over time: a retrospective ultrasound study. Muscle & nerve. 2014 Nov;50(5):733-8.

Feedback