Golfer's Elbow Test: How to Check for Medial Epicondylitis

The Golfer's Elbow Test is a passive stretch maneuver used by physiotherapists to test for Medial Epicondylitis. It is designed to provoke pain at the medial epicondyle by stretching the common flexor tendon.

1. Purpose

The primary purpose of this test is to **test for** Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer's Elbow). The test is designed to passively stretch the common flexor tendon at the medial epicondyle to reproduce the patient's pain.

2. How to Perform

This test is a passive stretch.

1. The patient is positioned in sitting.
2. The examiner stabilizes the patient's elbow, palpating the medial epicondyle.
3. The examiner passively supinates the patient's forearm.
4. The examiner passively extends the patient's wrist and fingers.
5. While holding this wrist/forearm position, the examiner slowly extends the patient's elbow fully.

3. Positive & Negative Sign

Positive Sign (Test is POSITIVE):
A positive test (indicating Medial Epicondylitis) is:

• Reproduction of the patient's familiar, sharp pain over the medial epicondyle.

Negative Sign (Test is NEGATIVE):
A negative test is the absence of pain at the medial epicondyle during the stretch. A feeling of "stretch" in the forearm is normal.