Medial Epicondylalgia Test
Purpose: To determine the presence medial epicondylagia.
Test Position: Standing.
Performing the Test: The clinician palpates the medial epicondyle and passively supinates the patients involved forearm, radially deviates the wrist, and passively extend the elbow/wrist.
Diagnostic Accuracy: Unknown.
Importance of Test: According to Neumann, the common proximal attachment site of the primary wrist flexors (palmaris longus, flexor carpi radialis, flexor carpi ulnaris) is on or near the medial epicondyle of the humerus and dorsal border of the ulna. The distal attachment of the flexor carpi radialis is the 2nd and 3rd metacarpals palmarly. This muscle is responsible for wrist flexion and radial deviation. The flexor carpi ulnaris attaches to the 5th metacarpal and is responsible for wrist extension and ulnar deviation. The palmaris longus inserts into the aponeurosis of the palm. With tendinopathy, any stretch or contraction of the tissues can potentially reproduce pain. The starting position of the test (elbow flexion, wrist flexion, ulnar deviation, and pronation) places the muscles in a shortened position. The combined motions of elbow extension, wrist extension, radial deviation, supination and palpation of the origin of the muscles reproduce the patient's symptoms, due to the stretch placed on the tissues.
Note: these tests should only be used by properly trained health care practitioners
Test Position: Standing.
Performing the Test: The clinician palpates the medial epicondyle and passively supinates the patients involved forearm, radially deviates the wrist, and passively extend the elbow/wrist.
Diagnostic Accuracy: Unknown.
Importance of Test: According to Neumann, the common proximal attachment site of the primary wrist flexors (palmaris longus, flexor carpi radialis, flexor carpi ulnaris) is on or near the medial epicondyle of the humerus and dorsal border of the ulna. The distal attachment of the flexor carpi radialis is the 2nd and 3rd metacarpals palmarly. This muscle is responsible for wrist flexion and radial deviation. The flexor carpi ulnaris attaches to the 5th metacarpal and is responsible for wrist extension and ulnar deviation. The palmaris longus inserts into the aponeurosis of the palm. With tendinopathy, any stretch or contraction of the tissues can potentially reproduce pain. The starting position of the test (elbow flexion, wrist flexion, ulnar deviation, and pronation) places the muscles in a shortened position. The combined motions of elbow extension, wrist extension, radial deviation, supination and palpation of the origin of the muscles reproduce the patient's symptoms, due to the stretch placed on the tissues.
Note: these tests should only be used by properly trained health care practitioners
References:
Neumann, Donald. "Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Rehabilitation." 2nd edition. St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier, 2010. 234-235. Print.
Neumann, Donald. "Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Rehabilitation." 2nd edition. St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier, 2010. 234-235. Print.