Elbow Resisted Isometric Testing

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Elbow Resisted Isometric Testing

After completing active and passive range of motion assessment you’re going to continue with resisted isometric muscle testing. During resisted isometric muscle testing of the elbow complex, you’re also going to include wrist flexion and extension as some of the forearm muscles are attached to the humeral epicondyles.

Your patient is going to be in sitting position then we’re going to flex the elbow to 90 degrees. Ask your patient to resist the following movements:

Flexion: Try to push your patient’s elbow into extension at the distal end of the forearm.
Extension: Try pulling your patient’s elbow into flexion at the distal end of his forearm
Pronation: Bring your patient’s forearm into neutral position. Then grab onto his distal ulna from the inside so that the heel of your hand is resting on your patient’s distal radius and ask your patient to move into pronation (palms down) while you resist the movement.
Supination: Your patient’s forearm is again in neutral position. Then, grab onto his distal ulna from the outside so that the heel of your hand is resting on your patient’s distal radius and ask your patient to move into supination (palms up) while you resist the movement.
Wrist Flexion: Have your patient’s forearm resting on the treatment table with his palms facing upwards. Now ask your patient to flex his wrist while you apply resistance in the direction of extension.
Wrist Extension: Have your patient’s forearm resting on the treatment table with his palms down. Now ask your patient to extend his wrist while you apply resistance in the direction of flexion.