TESTS
|
POSITION
OF THE ELBOW
|
STRUCTURES
INVOLVED
|
DESCRIPTION
OF TEST BEING PERFORMED
|
| Varus Stress Test Ligament
Instability Test
Adduction Stress Test
|
Elbow flexed 20-30 degrees |
Lateral Collateral Ligament
(Radial Ligament) |
Patients arm is stabilized
with one of the examiners hands at the medial distal
humerus (elbow), and the other hand is placed above the
patients lateral distal radius (wrist). An adduction or
varus force is applied at the distal forearm by the
examiner to test the radial collateral ligament. |
| Valgus Stress Test Abduction
Stress Test
Ligamentous Instability
|
Elbow flexed 20-30 degrees |
Medial Collateral Ligament (Ulnar
Collateral Ligament)
Ulnar Nerve
|
Same procedure/position as
above except that an abduction or valgus force at the
distal forearm is applied. Swap hands and sides. |
| Tinel Sign |
Elbow flexed about 15-20
degrees |
Ulnar Nerve |
Patients arm is relaxed and
elbow is slightly flexed. Examiner taps the area of the
ulnar nerve in the groove between the olecranon and the
medial epicondyle will send a tingling sensation down the
forearm to the ulnar distribution in the hand if there is
a neuroma within the ulnar nerve. |
| Lateral Compression Test |
From flexion to extension |
Radiohumeral joint Humeral
head
Capitellum
|
Apply valgus stress while
going from flexion to extension and back. Repeat in
radioulnar joint in various degrees of pronation and
supination. One hand is just above the elbow joint and
other hand is placed on the wrist. |
