The Elbow

Palpatation

• The patient is seated
  The elbow is placed in a 90° flexion position and in full supination.
• The examiner is seated next to the patient and palpates the epicondyle with his thumb while holding the elbow with his contralateral hand.
• The lateral epicondyle is found quite easily. Starting from there the palpation is carried out with caution and tranquillity in a proximal and distal direction.
• The insertion of the extensor carpi radialis brevis is found at the front and medial side of the bone and feels like a sturdy and flexible tissue
• The insertion is a few square inches large. Within that the tenderness is sought with gentleness and caution.
• Always compare the tenderness with that on the contralateral side.