Elbow and Forearm Injuries Review

Which injury to the elbow does the following best describe?

will cause point tenderness and a decrease in the ROM

Contact sports, football, lacrosse, soccer, motocross, and BMX are high risk

Symptoms will include pain on palpation and possible swelling, deformity, and crepitus. The athlete will often hold their arm to the side and will be unable to lift it.

• fracture

• strain

• impingement

• tendonitis

Select all that apply. Which of the following tests should be done if you suspect a fracture?

• percussion

• compression

• sulcus

• drop arm

True or false. You may try and pop a dislocated joint back into place if you have permission from the athlete.

• false

• true

Select all that apply. What are the 2 most important things to check for when an athlete has a dislocation?

• sensation

• circulation

• discoloration

• pain

What do the most common sprains and strains of the elbow result from?

• hyperextension

• hypoextension

• laxity

• lifting too much weight

After performing both the elbow Valgus and Varus stress tests you believe the athlete has a ulnar collateral sprain. Which of the 2 tests were positive?

• Valgus stress test

• Varus stress test

• Supination test

• Pronation test

When performing the elbow sprain tests you find that the Varus stress test is positive, which ligament do you believe is sprained?

• radial collateral ligament

• ulnar collateral ligament

• glenohumeral ligament

• elbow ligament

Which elbow evaluation do the following steps belong to?

Seated or standing the athlete should face you with arms in anatomical position.

Instruct the athlete to flex the elbow and attempt to touch the shoulder with the palm of their hand.

Check both arms at the same time, noting any differences.

Motion should be smooth and painless

Limited ROM on one side indicates potential injury.

• flexion strength test

• extension strength test

• flexion ROM test

• extension ROM test

Which elbow evaluation do the following step belong to?

Seated or standing the athlete should face you with the uninvolved elbow flexed to 90 degrees and palms down.

Place your hands on top of the athlete’s hands, grasping the medial aspect of the hand.

Instruct the athlete to supinate the forearm while you apply isometric resistance.

Compare strength between the uninvolved and involved arms, and note any difference.

Weakness on side indicates potential injury to the supinator.

• supination strength test

• pronation strength test

• supination ROM test

• supination joint & muscle test

Which elbow evaluation do the following steps belong to?

Seated or standing the athlete should face you with the elbows fully flexed.

Instruct the athlete to extend the elbows, with their palms facing up.

Check both arms at the same time, noting any differences.

Motion should be smooth and painless

Limited ROM on one side indicates potential injury.

• extension ROM test

• flexion ROM test

• extension strength test

• flexion joint and ligament test