← Full lesson and references Paired practice cardsSt Emlyn’s · FRCEM

One learner performs. One learner checks the key steps and gives feedback. Then swap roles. This is a practice aid, not an official mark scheme.

Examiner / observer

Elbow examination

Tick the actions you observe. Discuss any step that was not needed for this examination; unchecked boxes are not a score.

Examiner / observer · 1 of 3

Elbow examination

Preparation · History and inspection

Provide a chair or couch with arm support. Agree comfortable movement. Describe any tendon or provocative test that cannot be performed safely or competently.

St Emlyn’s · FRCEM · Practice aid, not an official mark schemeObserver 1 of 3

Examiner / observer · 2 of 3

Elbow examination

Palpation and movement · Peripheral nerves

Palpation and movement

Checks warmth, swelling, tenderness and crepitus while respecting pain.

Palpates medial/lateral epicondyles, olecranon and radial head during gentle pronation/supination.

Assesses distal biceps integrity for a relevant mechanism, using a gentle hook test only when familiar with the technique.

Checks brachial/radial pulses and records perfusion.

Compares active flexion, extension, pronation and supination, adding gentle passive and resisted testing when safe.

Peripheral nerves

Checks radial first-dorsal-web sensation and wrist/finger/thumb extension.

Checks median palmar-index sensation, thumb palmar abduction/opposition and relevant anterior interosseous function.

Checks ulnar little-finger sensation and finger abduction/adduction; interprets Froment’s sign if used.

Maps deficits and compares sides, without treating selected sensory points as a complete map.

St Emlyn’s · FRCEM · Practice aid, not an official mark schemeObserver 2 of 3

Examiner / observer · 3 of 3

Elbow examination

Epicondylar testing · Finish

Epicondylar testing

Uses resisted wrist extension with pronation for typical lateral epicondylar pain.

Uses resisted wrist flexion and pronation for typical medial epicondylar pain.

Interprets provoked pain with history, tenderness and range of movement.

Completion

Selects wrist or shoulder examination where relevant and documents neurovascular findings, pain limits and further care.

Finish

Thanks the patient.

Restores comfort and offers help with dressing where needed.

Ask the candidate

Which findings support your working diagnosis? Localises tenderness, movement restriction or reproduced symptoms and accounts for nerve/perfusion findings. States uncertainty and the appropriate investigation or referral rather than relying on one provocative test.

Feedback

What went well:

One thing to improve:

Try again focusing on:

St Emlyn’s · FRCEM · Practice aid, not an official mark schemeObserver 3 of 3

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Elbow examination

Your task

Starting information

Elbow examination

Elbow examination

Preparation

History and inspection

Elbow examination

Palpation and movement

Peripheral nerves

Elbow examination

Epicondylar testing

Completion

Finish

Ask the candidate

Feedback