Execution
- 1Position the patient sitting and explains that the contraction should be held without visible movement.
- 2Resist elbow flexion and elbow extension isometrically.
- 3Resist forearm supination and pronation isometrically.
- 4Resist wrist flexion and wrist extension because many wrist muscles cross the elbow.
- 5Record pain, weakness, rupture signs, neurological signs, and whether loaded combined or sustained positions reproduce the history.
Positive outcome
Abnormal findings: pain, weakness, rupture signs, or neurological signs with contraction.
Interpretation- Pain with contraction: contractile-tissue involvement
- Weakness without pain: major muscle or tendon rupture, or neurological involvement
- Painful resisted wrist extension: may implicate the common extensor origin
- Painful resisted wrist flexion / pronation: may implicate the common flexor-pronator origin
Because many wrist muscles cross the elbow, wrist position changes which tissue is loaded. Use loaded combined or sustained positions when the history points there.
Studies
| Study | Reliability | Sn | Sp | LR+ | LR− |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Askew et al. (1987) | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
CommentMagee lists elbow flexion, extension, supination, pronation, wrist flexion, and wrist extension as the core resisted isometric movements. Strength varies with elbow and forearm position, so exact setup matters. This is not a diagnostic-accuracy test by itself, but it helps decide whether contractile tissue, tendon rupture, or nerve involvement is plausible.
Low Clinical Value