2. Elbow

Question 1

Look

Answer 1

Patient standing in anatomical position

• Anterior, posterior, medial and lateral aspects
• Scars, swellings, wounds, rashes (psoriatic), rheumatoid nodules, olecranon bursitis
• Deformity
• Normal carrying angle (10 men, 15 women)
• Muscle wasting, bruising

Question 2

Feel

Answer 2

Watch patients face

• Temperature of upper arm, elbow and forearm
• Palpate for tenderness over medial and lateral epicondyles, olecranon process and radial head
• Any swellings

Question 3

Move - Active (1st)

Answer 3

• Flexion (touch finger on shoulder)
• Extension (anatomical position)
• Supination and pronation (elbow at 90 degrees, close to body)

Question 4

Move - Passive (2nd)

Answer 4

• Repeat movements passively
• Feeling for crepitus
• Thumb over radial head for supination/pronation

Question 5

Function

Answer 5

Hand to mouth, for feeding

Examine shoulder and wrist (joint above and below)