Physical examination maneuver

Physical Exam

Elbow Strength

🎬
Video coming soon

How to Perform

Test elbow flexion and extension and forearm pronation and supination against resistance, comparing sides. Stabilize the arm and apply steady resistance, grading the strength and noting any pain or give-way weakness.

How to Interpret

Showing 6 of 7 findings

Cervical Radiculopathy

Weak elbow extension (triceps) on manual muscle testing
Rule in
InconclusiveWide CI
Rule out
Not helpful
Evidence:Moderate
Weak elbow flexion (biceps) on manual muscle testing
Rule in
InconclusiveWide CI
Rule out
Not helpful
Evidence:Moderate
Weak elbow flexion in a patient with cervical radiculopathy
Rule in
HelpfulDerived CI
Rule out
InconclusiveWide CI
Evidence:Moderate
Weak elbow extension in a patient with cervical radiculopathy
Rule in
Somewhat helpfulDerived CI
Rule out
Somewhat helpfulDerived CI
Evidence:Moderate

Distal Biceps Tendon Rupture

Weakness of resisted forearm supination
Rule in
Not helpfulDerived CI
Rule out
InconclusiveWide CI
Evidence:Moderate

Functional Neurologic Disease

Give-way (collapsing) weakness on resisted strength testing
Rule in
Very helpfulNo CI
Rule out
Somewhat helpfulNo CI
Evidence:Moderate

Related Bedside Tests

🎬Video coming soon
Shoulder Strength
Rule in:VHFunctional Neurologic Disease, HInfraspinatus Tear, SHSupraspinatus Tear +3 more
Rule out:HSupraspinatus Tear, SHFunctional Neurologic Disease, NHInfraspinatus Tear +3 more
Biceps Deep Tendon ReflexMembers
Sign in
Biceps Deep Tendon Reflex
aka Biceps jerk
Rule in:VHPeripheral Neuropathy, SHCervical Radiculopathy, IECervical Myelopathy +2 more
Rule out:MHPeripheral Neuropathy, NHCervical Radiculopathy, IECervical Myelopathy +2 more
🎬Video coming soon
Brachioradialis Deep Tendon Reflex
aka Supinator jerk
Rule in:HCervical Radiculopathy, SHCervical Myelopathy
Rule out:SHCervical Myelopathy, SHCervical Radiculopathy
🎬Video coming soon
Triceps Deep Tendon Reflex
aka Triceps jerk
Rule in:SHCervical Radiculopathy, ICCervical Myelopathy
Rule out:SHCervical Radiculopathy, NHCervical Myelopathy
Hand StrengthMembers
Sign in
Hand Strength
Rule in:VHFunctional Neurologic Disease, SHCervical Radiculopathy, MHCarpal Tunnel Syndrome +3 more
Rule out:SHCarpal Tunnel Syndrome, SHFunctional Neurologic Disease, NHCervical Radiculopathy +3 more
Cervical Spine Active Range of MotionMembers
Sign in
Cervical Spine Active Range of Motion
Rule in:NHCervical Radiculopathy, IECervical Myelopathy, IECervical Spondylosis
Rule out:NHCervical Radiculopathy, IECervical Myelopathy, IECervical Spondylosis

Related Systems / Regions

ElbowMusculoskeletalNeurologicalUpper Extremities

Related Diagnoses

Cervical RadiculopathyDistal Biceps Tendon RuptureDistal Triceps Tendon RuptureFunctional Neurologic Disease

Related Chief Complaints

Arm NumbnessArm PainArm WeaknessBiceps WeaknessDifficulty Lifting the ArmElbow PainForearm PainMuscle WeaknessNeck PainPain Lifting ObjectsPain with LiftingShooting Arm PainTingling in the ArmTriceps WeaknessWeakness

References

  • Zwerus EL, van Deurzen DFP, van den Bekerom MPJ, The B, Eygendaal D. Distal biceps tendon ruptures: diagnostic strategy through physical examination. Am J Sports Med. 2022;50(14):3956-3962. doi:10.1177/03635465221129874. PMID 36349931. PMC9729971.
  • Wainner RS, Fritz JM, Irrgang JJ, Boninger ML, Delitto A, Allison S. Reliability and diagnostic accuracy of the clinical examination and patient self-report measures for cervical radiculopathy. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2003 Jan 1;28(1):52-62. doi:10.1097/00007632-200301010-00014. PMID 12544957.
  • Yoss RE, Corbin KB, MacCarty CS, Love JG. Significance of symptoms and signs in localization of involved root in cervical disk protrusion. Neurology. 1957;7(10):673-683. PMID: 13477342.
  • van Riet RP, Morrey BF, Ho E, O'Driscoll SW. Surgical treatment of distal triceps ruptures. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2003;85(10):1961-1967. doi:10.2106/00004623-200310000-00015. PMID 14563805.
  • Daum C, Hubschmid M, Aybek S. The value of 'positive' clinical signs for weakness, sensory and gait disorders in conversion disorder: a systematic and narrative review. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2014 Feb;85(2):180-190. doi:10.1136/jnnp-2012-304607. PMID 23467417.
  • Bickley LS, Szilagyi PG, Hoffman RM, Soriano RP. Bates' Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2021.
  • Swartz MH. Textbook of Physical Diagnosis: History and Examination. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025.

Research last updated September 10, 2026.