Elbow examination Flashcards
How do you ask patient to position themselves when you are looking at elbow carrying angle?
Patient should stand facing you, arms and hands at their sides (fully extended arm) with palms facing forward
What is the normal range for elbow carrying angle?
5-15 degrees
What is cubitus valgus deformity, and in what part of the examination do you identify it?
Forearm is angled away from body at greater degree than normal when arm is fully extended
Look for it
What is cubitus varus deformity, and in what part of the examination do you identify it?
Forearm is angled away from body at smaller degree than normal when arm is fully extended, looks like forearm is almost vertical
Look for it
When looking for elbow flexion deformity, how do you position the patient?
Look at patient from the side with their arm extended
What 3 surfaces of the elbow should you look at?
Posterior, medial, lateral
What 6 signs can you look for on the posterior, medial, lateral surfaces of the elbow?
Scars, rashes, muscle wasting, rheumatoid nodules, psoriatic plaques, and swellings such as olecranon bursitis
What does olecranon bursitis look like?
Large, round swelling on posterior aspect of elbow, over olecranon
What 2 areas do you feel for temperature, and what technique do you use?
Use back of hand to feel temperature of elbow joint and forearm
How do you feel the radial head and joint line for tenderness and swelling?
Hold patient’s forearm with one hand so that their elbow is flexed 90 degrees, then use your thumb to feel radial head and joint line
Where does synovitis usually present in the elbow joint?
Between lateral epicondyle and olecranon, should feel for fullness
What is golfer’s elbow, and how do you feel for it?
Palpate medial epicondyle tenderness
Medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow): inflammation on end of inner elbow, within the common flexor tendon
What is tennis elbow, and how do you feel for it?
Palpate lateral epicondyle tenderness
Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow): inflammation on end of outer elbow, within the common extensor tendon
Where do you feel elbow joint for swelling that could indicate olecranon bursitis?
Feel olecranon process
What 4 movements are examined for elbow function?
Elbow flexion
Elbow extension
Protonation
Supination