Elbow
Elbow valgus stress test
- What you examine
- Integrity of the ulnar collateral ligament.
- Procedure
- Fix the upper arm and apply valgus to the forearm, first in full extension and then at 20 to 30 degrees of flexion. Feel the medial joint line with your other hand.
- Positive when
- More gapping than on the other side, or recognisable pain medially.
- What the test is worth
- Testing at 20 to 30 degrees of flexion is decisive: in full extension the olecranon in its fossa absorbs most of the valgus and the ligament seems intact.
- Caution
- In throwing athletes this is the ligament that becomes chronically overloaded. Complaints during throwing with an intact test still deserve to be taken seriously.
- Joint
- Elbow joint
- Body region
- Elbow