PhysioHub

Salt Test

Lateral Elbow Pain

Source: Physiotutors

Execution

  1. 1Position the patient with the elbow flexed to approximately 60° to 70°.
  2. 2Place the thumb over the anterolateral surface of the radial head.
  3. 3Apply pressure in an anteromedial direction.
  4. 4Ask the patient to supinate the forearm while the pressure is maintained.
  5. 5Record whether the patient’s familiar lateral elbow pain is reproduced.

Positive outcome

Reproduction of lateral elbow pain is positive. The test is intended to suggest intra-articular contribution, synovial hypertrophy, chondropathy, or minor lateral elbow instability in recalcitrant lateral elbow pain rather than classic ECRB-only tendinopathy.

Studies

StudyReliabilitySnSpLR+LR−
Arrigoni et al. (2017)NANANANANA

CommentThis test was not found in the main Magee elbow text and is included from the lateral elbow pain literature. Arrigoni’s study was a small pilot in recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis with arthroscopic comparison, so estimates are not generalizable to first-line physiotherapy populations. Use it only when intra-articular or instability contribution is suspected.

Low Clinical Value

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