Elbow - Special Tests

Question 1

Ligament Instability Test

Answer 1

purpose: To identify ligament laxity or restriction

perform: Patient sitting or supine; elbow placed in 20° to 0° of flexion. Apply valgus force to test UCL and varus force to test RCL.

positive: Primary finding is laxity; pain may also be present

Question 2

Lateral Epicondylitis Test (Tennis Elbow/Cozen’s)

Answer 2

purpose: Identify lateral epicondylopathy

perform: Patient seated. Elbow flexed to 90°. Examiner stabilizes elbow, palpates lateral epicondyle. Patient makes a fist, pronates, extends wrist. Examiner resists wrist extension.

positive: Pain at lateral epicondyle

Question 3

Mill’s Test

Answer 3

purpose: Identify lateral epicondylopathy

perform: Patient seated. Examiner palpates lateral epicondyle, passively pronates forearm, flexes wrist, and extends elbow.

positive: Pain at lateral epicondyle

Question 4

Maudsley’s Test

Answer 4

purpose: Identify lateral epicondylopathy (specifically extensor digitorum)

perform: Patient seated. Examiner resists extension of the 3rd digit distal to PIP while palpating lateral epicondyle.

positive: Pain at lateral epicondyle

Question 5

Elbow Flexion Test

Answer 5

purpose: Cubital tunnel syndrome (ulnar nerve)

perform: Patient seated. Actively flexes both elbows, extends wrists, and holds for 3-5 minutes.

positive: Tingling or numbness in ulnar distribution (ring and pinky fingers)

Question 6

Medial Epicondylitis Test

Answer 6

purpose: Medial epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow)

perform: Patient seated. Examiner palpates medial epicondyle, passively supinates forearm, extends wrist and elbow.

positive: Pain at medial epicondyle

Question 7

Tinel’s Sign at Elbow

Answer 7

purpose: Identifies dysfunction of ulnar nerve at olecranon (cubital tunnel)

perform: Patient seated with elbow in slight flexion. Examiner taps between medial epicondyle and olecranon.

positive: Tingling in ulnar distribution (forearm/hand)

Question 8

Pronator Teres Syndrome Test

Answer 8

purpose: Median nerve compression (entrapment) by pronator teres

perform: Patient seated. Examiner resists forearm pronation while passively extending the elbow.

positive: Tingling or numbness in median nerve distribution (thumb, index, middle fingers)