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Elbow Extension Test

Aka: Elbow Extension Test

Indications
1. Elbow trauma
Technique
1. Patient asked to fully extend elbow
Interpretation
1. Inability to extend elbow suggests need for Elbow XRay
2. Ability to fully extend elbow is reassuring
  1. XRay not needed unless other indications
Efficacy
1. Test Sensitivity: 97% (Negative Predictive Value: 98%)
2. Test Specificity: 69% (Positive Predictive Value: 63%)
References
1. Docherty (2002) South Med J 95:539-41

Family Practice Notebook

Patients should address specific medical concerns with their physicians.

Although access to this page is not restricted, the information found here is intended for use by medical providers.

This page was written by Scott Moses, MD, last revised on 10/21/2007 and last published on 5/14/2013.

This is one of 5887 pages in the Family Practice Notebook