title: Examination of the elbow: linking diagnosis, prognosis, and outcomes as a framework for maximizing therapy interventions.
abstract: A conceptual framework for examination of the elbow by the therapist is presented. The role of history taking including patient life-style factors, comorbidities and goals; pain assessment; utility of provocative maneuvers and range of motion analysis are presented. Assessment of strength using hand-held dynamometry is described. Pain and disability measures relevant to patients with elbow pathology are discussed and one patient self report instruments is appended (the Patient-rated Elbow Evaluation). The psychometrics properties of tests for the elbow, when available, are reviewed. A template for recording an elbow examination is provided.
authors.affiliation: Hand and Upper Limb Centre Clinical Research Laboratory, St. Joseph's Health Centre, London, Ontario, Canada. jmacderm@uwo.ca
authors.forename: Joy C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: MacDermid
authors.forename: Susan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Michlovitz
mesh_terms: D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D008487:Medical History Taking; D010808:Physical Examination; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology