Elbow Examination
Elbow Examination - Related Videos
10:09
Elbow Exam
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2023
Source: Robert E. Sallis, MD. Kaiser Permanente, Fontana, California, USA The elbow is a hinged joint that involves the articulation of 3 bones: the humerus, radius, and ulna. It is a much more stable joint than the shoulder, and because of that, the elbow has less range of motion. The elbow and its structures are prone to significant injuries, particularly with repetitive motion. Lateral and medial epicondylitis (also called tennis elbow and golfer's elbow) are two common diagnoses and often...
20:06
The Comprehensive Infant Examination
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2023
Source: Heather Collette and Jaideep Talwalkar; Yale School of Medicine The newborn exam is important in establishing a baby's baseline health status as they enter the world. Newborn providers have the unique opportunity to evaluate a patient for the very first time. They are also tasked with identifying congenital anomalies that require early intervention to promote a long and healthy life for the child. Many newborn anomalies, such as heart defects, are noted on prenatal ultrasound. However,...
07:56
A Standardized Method for Measurement of Elbow Kinesthesia
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Cited by 3 •
2020
Here, we present a standardized method for measurement of elbow passive kinesthesia using the threshold to detection of passive movement (TDPM) that is appropriate for a research setting.
07:44
Ophthalmoscopic Examination
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2023
Source: Richard Glickman-Simon, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, MA The simplest ophthalmoscopes consist of an aperture to look through, a diopter indicator, and a disc for selecting lenses. The ophthalmoscope is primarily used to examine the fundus, or the inner wall of the posterior eye, which consists of the choroid, retina, fovea, macula, optic disc, and retinal vessels (Figure 1). The spherical eyeball...
35:03
Mental Status Examination
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2023
Source: Carmen Black, Matthew Goldenberg, and Jaideep Talwalkar; Yale School of Medicine The mental status exam is a clinical evaluation of emotional, perceptual, and cognitive functioning that spans both the fields of psychiatry and neurology. Developing skill in the psychiatric portions of the examination are important to describe salient aspects of the patient's mental state that may be observed during routine history and/or physical exam. Proficiency in the cognitive portions of this...
FAQs
Active and passive range-of-motion assessments provide complementary information about elbow function. Recording both helps document limitations in movement rather than relying on a single observation. When combined with pain, stiffness, strength, and palpation findings, these results contribute to a broader clinical picture and help establish a useful baseline for later comparison.
Targeted maneuvers add focused information when a clinician needs to investigate a particular symptom or structure. They may reproduce the patient’s symptoms or assess the function of ligaments, tendons, or nerves around the elbow. Their findings are interpreted alongside the rest of the examination rather than used as isolated evidence.
The elbow examination extends beyond the joint itself by including nearby neurovascular structures. This assessment helps identify findings associated with nerve-related problems and adds important context when pain or impaired function is present. Considering these structures also supports a more complete distinction between local elbow conditions and problems involving surrounding tissues.
A typical sequence begins with inspection, followed by palpation of relevant areas. The clinician then assesses active and passive range of motion, evaluates strength, and examines adjacent neurovascular structures. Targeted maneuvers may follow when symptoms or examination findings require clarification, creating a structured assessment rather than an isolated test.
Examination findings help organize the clinical problem before decisions about imaging or treatment are made. Patterns involving pain, stiffness, instability, deformity, impaired function, or nerve-related features may help distinguish traumatic injury, overuse conditions, inflammatory disorders, and nerve problems. This clinical information can guide the next management step.
During rehabilitation, repeat examination findings provide a reference for tracking change over time. Measures of movement, strength, pain-related responses, and function can be compared with the initial baseline to monitor recovery. This follow-up role helps clinicians judge whether the patient’s condition is improving and whether impairment remains.