Elbow Orthopaedic Test: Elbow Quadrant Tests

The Elbow Quadrant Test is a physical examination test used to evaluate the presence of joint or soft tissue pathology in the elbow. It involves dividing the elbow into four quadrants and applying pressure or resistance to each quadrant to determine the location and extent of pain or discomfort.

The four quadrants of the elbow are defined as follows:

• Medial: located on the inner side of the elbow, near the ulnar collateral ligament and the medial epicondyle of the humerus
• Lateral: located on the outer side of the elbow, near the radial head and the lateral epicondyle of the humerus
• Anterior: located on the front side of the elbow, near the biceps tendon and the brachialis muscle
• Posterior: located on the back side of the elbow, near the triceps tendon and the olecranon process of the ulna.

Here is a general procedure for performing the Elbow Quadrant Test:

1. Ask the patient to sit or lie down with their arm relaxed and extended.
2. Divide the elbow into the four quadrants (medial, lateral, anterior, and posterior) by drawing imaginary lines.
3. Apply pressure or resistance to each quadrant in a consistent manner using your hands or fingers, and ask the patient to report any pain, discomfort, or tenderness they experience.
4. Repeat the test several times in each quadrant to confirm your findings.
5. Document your observations, including the location and extent of any pain or discomfort reported by the patient.

The Elbow Quadrant Test is used to evaluate for a variety of elbow conditions, including joint inflammation, ligament sprains, muscle strains, and nerve compression syndromes. However, the test has not been extensively studied in the literature, and its sensitivity and specificity for detecting specific elbow conditions are not well-established.

In terms of a normal result, the Elbow Quadrant Test should not produce any pain or discomfort in the tested quadrants of the elbow. If pain or discomfort is present, it may indicate the presence of an underlying elbow condition. The specific location and extent of the pain or discomfort can help guide further diagnostic evaluation and treatment.

References:

1. Seidel, H. M., Ball, J. W., Dains, J. E., & Flynn, J. A. (2018). Mosby's Guide to Physical Examination. Elsevier Health Sciences.
2. Magee, D. J. (2014). Orthopedic Physical Assessment-E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences.
3. Pribut, S. M. (2001). Examination of the elbow. Primary care, 28(4), 863-878.