PHYSICAL-EXAMINATION OF THE THROWERS ELBOW

The physical examination of the thrower's elbow presents the clinician with the clinical challenge of differentially diagnosing specific pat hologies. The examination should include a thorough history and a well -organized physical examination, which relies on an extensive knowledg e of the functional anatomy of the elbow. The components of an elbow e xamination include inspection/observation, palpation of bony and soft tissues, range of motion assessment, resisted muscle testing (both man ual and mechanical), neurologic testing, and special tests. The specia l tests commonly performed on the thrower's elbow are the Tinel test, tennis elbow sign, ulnar collateral ligament stability testing, valgus extension overload test, and radiocapitella chondromalacia test. Othe r tests include radiographic examination, such as computerized tomogra ph arthrogram and magnetic resonance imaging testing. Information pres ented in this paper will provide the clinician with a systematic and t horough evaluation process for the thrower's elbow.