Execution
- 1Palpate the patient’s lateral epicondyle.
- 2Passively pronate the forearm.
- 3Fully flex the wrist.
- 4Extend the elbow while maintaining wrist flexion and forearm pronation.
- 5Note whether pain is reproduced over the lateral epicondyle.
Positive outcome
Pain over the lateral epicondyle is positive. Magee warns that the manoeuvre also stresses the radial nerve, so radial nerve compression can produce symptoms similar to tennis elbow.
Studies
| Study | Reliability | Sn | Sp | LR+ | LR− |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karanasios et al. (2022) — systematic review | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Roles & Maudsley (1972) | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
CommentMagee’s Mill test is a passive stretch test, not the resisted wrist-extension version sometimes used in other sources. The radial nerve caveat matters because radial tunnel syndrome can mimic persistent lateral epicondylalgia. Use electrodiagnostic or further nerve assessment when symptoms are atypical or treatment fails.
Low Clinical Value