Execution
- 1Seat the patient in a chair with arms so both elbows begin near 90° of flexion.
- 2Ask the patient to place both hands on the chair arms with the forearms fully supinated.
- 3Ask the patient to push through the hands and rise from the chair.
- 4Observe the symptomatic elbow as it extends during the push-up phase.
- 5Record apprehension, medial pain, radial-head displacement, or reproduction of the patient’s symptoms.
Positive outcome
Reproduction of symptoms, apprehension, medial pain, or radial-head dislocation as the elbow extends is positive. Lateral pain during the task may reflect lateral epicondylalgia rather than PLRI.
Studies
| Study | Reliability | Sn | Sp | LR+ | LR− |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regan & Lapner (2006) | NA | 87.5 | 100 | infinity | 0.13 |
CommentMagee lists this as the chair or standing push-up test, and it overlaps with Regan and Lapner’s active apprehension signs. The 100% specificity is from a very small cohort, so the infinite LR+ should be read as promising rule-in evidence rather than a precise multiplier. Use it as a functional screen when the classic pivot shift is not tolerated.
High Clinical Value