Valgus (ulnar) stress test for the elbow – What is the purpose, indication and relevance?

Valgus (Ulnar) Test: Client is seated or standing with the affected shoulder flexed anteriorly to 90° and the arm supinated. Practitioner palpates humeroradial joint line then applies a valgus (medially directed) force to the elbow while stabilizing the patient’s forearm with the other hand.

Purpose:

• Assess integrity of the medial collateral ligament of the elbow

Indications:

• Elbow injury
• Ligament laxity

Relevance:

• Positive test – pain or instability is indicative of medial collateral ligament injury

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This post was written by Omar Rifai