Martin A Docherty1, Robert A Schwab, O John Ma. 1. Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Truman Medical Center, 64108, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether a simple test of full elbow extension was a reliable indicator of bone/joint injury at the elbow joint. METHODS: In this prospective study, patients with acute elbow injuries were asked to fully extend the injured elbow. Radiologists blinded to the results of the extension test interpreted the radiographs. RESULTS: Of 114 patients with acute elbow injury entered into the study, 110 underwent adiographic evaluation. Inability to extend the elbow was found in 37 of 38 patients with bone injury. Only 1 of 54 patients who were able to fully extend the elbow was found to have bone/joint injury. The sensitivity and specificity of the elbow-extension test for identification of bone/joint injury was 97% and 69%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The elbow-extension test can be used as a sensitive clinical screening test for patients with acute elbow injuries.
BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether a simple test of full elbow extension was a reliable indicator of bone/joint injury at the elbow joint. METHODS: In this prospective study, patients with acute elbow injuries were asked to fully extend the injured elbow. Radiologists blinded to the results of the extension test interpreted the radiographs. RESULTS: Of 114 patients with acute elbow injury entered into the study, 110 underwent adiographic evaluation. Inability to extend the elbow was found in 37 of 38 patients with bone injury. Only 1 of 54 patients who were able to fully extend the elbow was found to have bone/joint injury. The sensitivity and specificity of the elbow-extension test for identification of bone/joint injury was 97% and 69%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The elbow-extension test can be used as a sensitive clinical screening test for patients with acute elbow injuries.
Authors: Elisa L Zwerus; Nienke W Willigenburg; Vanessa A Scholtes; Matthijs P Somford; Denise Eygendaal; Michel Pj van den Bekerom Journal: Shoulder Elbow Date: 2017-09-11
Authors: Suzanne F van Rijn; Elisa L Zwerus; Koen Lm Koenraadt; Wilco Ch Jacobs; Michel Pj van den Bekerom; Denise Eygendaal Journal: Shoulder Elbow Date: 2018-06-03
Authors: A Appelboam; A D Reuben; J R Benger; F Beech; J Dutson; S Haig; I Higginson; J A Klein; S Le Roux; S S M Saranga; R Taylor; J Vickery; R J Powell; G Lloyd Journal: BMJ Date: 2008-12-09