Execution
- 1Position the patient supine with the test arm overhead.
- 2Flex the elbow to approximately 40° to 90°.
- 3Hold the arm and forearm in a position similar to a knee drawer test.
- 4Stabilize the humerus.
- 5Push the radius and ulna posterolaterally and observe rotation around the intact medial collateral ligament.
Positive outcome
Apprehension or a visible / palpable dimple is positive. The drawer motion suggests lateral collateral ligament complex injury with posterolateral instability, where the radius and ulna rotate posterolaterally relative to the humerus.
Studies
| Study | Reliability | Sn | Sp | LR+ | LR− |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O’Driscoll et al. (1991) | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
CommentThis is a mechanical instability test described in the PLRI literature, but diagnostic-accuracy values are not well established in Magee. The result depends on patient relaxation, examiner experience, and comparison with the other elbow. A negative test does not exclude subtle PLRI.
Low Clinical Value