Elbow Orthopaedic Test: Golfer’s Elbow Test

The Golfer's Elbow Test is a physical examination technique used to assess the presence of medial epicondylitis, which is a type of elbow tendinitis. This condition is also known as golfer's elbow due to its association with the repetitive motions of golfing, but it can occur in anyone who frequently uses their forearm and wrist, such as tennis players or manual laborers.

Here is a general procedure for performing the Golfer's Elbow Test:

1. Ask the patient to sit or stand with their arm relaxed and slightly flexed at the elbow.
2. Locate the medial epicondyle, which is the bony prominence on the inner side of the elbow.
3. Place your thumb on the medial epicondyle and your fingers on the patient's wrist.
4. Apply a valgus stress (a force that pulls the wrist away from the body) to the patient's wrist while resisting with your thumb.
5. Instruct the patient to flex their wrist against resistance while you maintain the valgus stress.
6. Observe for any pain or discomfort in the medial elbow region.
7. Repeat the test with the elbow fully extended to assess for any change in symptoms.
8. Document your observations, including any pain, discomfort, or weakness reported by the patient.

A positive test result is characterized by the presence of pain or discomfort in the medial elbow region during wrist flexion against resistance with a valgus stress applied to the wrist. This indicates the presence of medial epicondylitis.

A normal result of the Golfer's Elbow Test is the absence of pain or discomfort in the medial elbow region when a valgus stress is applied to the wrist and the patient performs wrist flexion against resistance. This suggests the absence of medial epicondylitis or other conditions that cause pain in this region.

References:

1. Magee, D. J. (2014). Orthopedic physical assessment (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
2. Miller, M. D., & Dodson, C. C. (2013). Evaluation and management of medial epicondylitis. Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy Review, 21(4), 190-197. doi: 10.1097/JSA.0b013e31828f4445
3. Rettig, A. C. (2005). Medial epicondylitis. Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy Review, 13(4), 179-184. doi: 10.1097/01.jsa.0000188632.14027.5c