The Elbow

Technique

• The elbow is in extension and the contralateral arm of the examiner carries the forearm.
• The ipsilateral hand resists the extension.
• The patient is asked to resist the extension of the wrist, first with the fingers extended and then with the fingers actively flexed.
• Normally both versions are equally positive, which shows the wrist extensors to be at fault (classical tennis elbow)
• Resisted extension of the wrist with the fingers held actively flexed being negative implicates the finger extensors