What does the golfer's elbow test assess?

What does the golfer's elbow test assess?

• A. Lateral epicondyle pathology
• B. Flexor tendon pathology at the medial epicondyle
• C. Median nerve compression in the carpal tunnel
• D. Radial nerve entrapment

Answer: (B)

The golfer's elbow test assesses pathology of the flexor tendons originating at the medial epicondyle. This area is where the common flexor tendon attaches to the inner elbow, and overuse or strain can cause tendinopathy there. The test provokes pain by stressing these flexor tendons, so a positive result points to medial epicondylitis, also known as golfer’s elbow. Pain at the medial epicondyle from this test helps distinguish it from tennis elbow, which involves the lateral epicondyle and is linked to the extensor tendons. Median nerve compression in the carpal tunnel would raise symptoms in the hand rather than at the elbow, and radial nerve entrapment produces different patterns of sensory and motor findings along the forearm and hand.

The golfer's elbow test assesses pathology of the flexor tendons originating at the medial epicondyle. This area is where the common flexor tendon attaches to the inner elbow, and overuse or strain can cause tendinopathy there. The test provokes pain by stressing these flexor tendons, so a positive result points to medial epicondylitis, also known as golfer’s elbow.

Pain at the medial epicondyle from this test helps distinguish it from tennis elbow, which involves the lateral epicondyle and is linked to the extensor tendons. Median nerve compression in the carpal tunnel would raise symptoms in the hand rather than at the elbow, and radial nerve entrapment produces different patterns of sensory and motor findings along the forearm and hand.