Musculoskeletal Approach to the Elbow

Authors
Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

To read
  • Rehabilitation of Elbow Injuries: Nonoperative and Operative1

Ligaments

Tests

Stress Tests

“Elbow instability can be viewed on a continuum from mild laxity to severe and recurrent dislocation that progresses from the lateral to the medial side of the elbow and may involve soft tissue and/or bone.2”2

  • Medial (Ulnar) Collateral Ligament (Valgus Test)2
  • Posterolateral Rotary Drawer Test
  • Tabletop Rotatory Test
  • Lateral Pivot Shift Apprehension Test
  • Lateral (Radial) Collateral Ligament (Varus Test)

Examination

Lateral elbow

  • UCL Band
    • Ulnar Collateral Ligament Valgus Test
      • Anterior band (20-30°)2
      • Posterior band (>55°)

References

1.
Wilk KE, Arrigo CA. Rehabilitation of Elbow Injuries: Nonoperative and Operative. Clinics in Sports Medicine. 2020;39(3):687-715. doi:10.1016/j.csm.2020.02.010
2.
Dutton M. Dutton’s Orthopaedic Examination, Evaluation, and Intervention. 5th ed. McGraw Hill Education; 2020.

Citation

For attribution, please cite this work as:
Yomogida N, Kerstein C. Musculoskeletal Approach to the Elbow. https://yomokerst.com/The Archive/MSK/Regions/Upper Extremity/elbow_MSK.html