Elbow
Bone, Joint & General
Evidence: uncertain
Elbow Extension Test Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Screening for Elbow Fracture in acute trauma.
How to Perform
- Action: Ask the patient to fully extend the elbow.
Interpretation of Results
- Negative (Normal): If patient can fully extend, a fracture is highly unlikely (Rule out fracture).
- Positive: Inability to fully extend suggests fracture or significant effusion.
Diagnostic Accuracy
- Sensitivity: ~97%
- Specificity: ~69%
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Elbow Extension Test should be considered as one component of a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment. No single special test has perfect diagnostic accuracy; thus, clinical decision-making should integrate test results with patient-reported symptoms, mechanism of injury, functional impairment, and relevant imaging.
Clinicians should be aware of potential false-positive results in patients with pain sensitisation, muscle guarding, or poor relaxation. For the Elbow region, combining the Elbow Extension Test with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment.
