TESTS
POSITION OF THE ELBOW
STRUCTURES INVOLVED
DESCRIPTION OF TEST BEING PERFORMED
MOUSE OVER PICTURE TO VIEW MOVIE
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.
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.
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.