Elbow Pathologies and Examination Techniques

From the study guide

Course Outline

  1. Musculoskeletal Examination
  2. Elbow Anatomy and Pathology
  3. Clinical History Assessment
  4. Special Tests for Elbow
  5. Radial Tunnel Syndrome
  6. Lateral Epicondylitis
  7. Elbow Instability Types
  8. Nerve Entrapment Sites
  9. Tendinopathy Diagnosis
  10. Injury Mechanisms and Tests

1. Musculoskeletal Examination

Key Concepts & Definitions

  • History Taking: Collecting patient information about symptom onset, duration, location, character, and aggravating or relieving factors to guide diagnosis.
  • Observation & Inspection: Visual assessment of swelling, deformity, muscle atrophy, skin changes, and movement patterns.
  • Palpation: Using hands to examine tenderness, temperature, swelling, and structural abnormalities of bones, joints, muscles, and soft tissues.
  • Range of Motion (ROM) Testing: Assessing active and passive movement to identify restrictions, pain, or instability in joints.
  • Special Tests: Specific maneuvers designed to provoke symptoms or identify particular pathologies (e.g., Salt and Pepper tests for intra-articular lesions).
  • Neuro-Orthopedic Evaluation: Assessing nerve function and integrity through sensory, motor, and reflex testing to detect nerve compression or injury.

Essential Points

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Practice quiz preview

1. Which nerve is affected in radial tunnel syndrome?

2. What is the primary role of clinical history assessment in musculoskeletal examination?

3. What does a musculoskeletal examination primarily involve?

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Flashcard preview

Musculoskeletal exam components

History, inspection, palpation, ROM, special tests.

Elbow instability types

Rotatory posterolateral, medial (valgus), lateral (varus).

Radial tunnel syndrome

PIN compression causing lateral forearm pain, no weakness.

Elbow joint — main movements?

Flexion, extension, pronation, supination.

Radial Tunnel Syndrome — cause?

Compression of posterior interosseous nerve.

Lateral epicondylitis — affected tendon?

Extensor carpi radialis brevis.

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