Cozen’s Test: Difference between revisions

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== Purpose  ==
== Purpose  ==


The purpose of Cozen's test (also known as the "resisted wrist extension test" or "resistive tennis elbow test") is to check for [[Lateral Epicondylitis|lateral epicondylalgia]]&nbsp;or "tennis elbow".<br>  
The purpose of Cozen's test (also known as the "resisted wrist extension test" or "resistive tennis elbow test") is to check for [[Lateral Epicondylitis|lateral epicondylalgia]]&nbsp;or "tennis elbow".
 
== Patient Position ==
The patient should be seated, with the elbow extended forearm maximal pronation, wrist radially abducted, and hand in a fist.
 
== Examiner Position ==
The therapist should stabilise elbow while palpating lateral epicondyle, other hand placed on the dorsum of the hand. <br>


== Technique  ==
== Technique  ==
The patient is asked to move the wrist to dorsal flexion and the therapist provides resistance to this movement, in the position described above.<ref>Zwerus EL, Somford MP, Maissan F, Heisen J, Eygendaal D, van den Bekerom MP. Physical examination of the elbow, what is the evidence? A systematic literature review. Br J Sports Med. 2018 Oct 1;52(19):1253-60.</ref> The test is positive if pain on the lateral epicondyle is elicited. <br>&nbsp;


To perform Cozen's test, the therapist stabilizes the patient's elbow in 90 degrees of flexion with one hand while palpating over the lateral epicondyle. The other hand positions the patient's hand into radial deviation and forearm pronation while the patient is asked to resisted wrist extension in this position against manual resistance of the therapist. The test is considered positive if it produces pain or reproduction of other symptoms in the area of the lateral epicondyle.<ref name="Valdes & LaStayo 2013">Valdes K, LaStayo P. The value of provocative tests for the wrist and elbow: a literature review. Journal of Hand Therapy, 2013; 26: 32-43.</ref> <br>&nbsp;
<clinicallyrelevant id="83479833" title="Cozen's test" />
 
<clinicallyrelevant id="83479921" title="" />


== Helpful Tips  ==
== Helpful Tips  ==
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== Evidence  ==
== Evidence  ==


Sensitivity and specificity has not yet been determined.  
A recent study by  Karanasios et al stated that physical examination tests’ diagnostic accuracy has been under-researched but available evidence suggests that the Cozen’s test reported high sensitivity (91%) while a grip strength difference of 5%-10% between elbow flexion and extension showed high sensitivity (78%-83%) and specificity (80%-90%)<ref name=":0">Karanasios S, Korakakis V, Moutzouri M, Drakonaki E, Koci K, Pantazopoulou V, Tsepis E, Gioftsos G. Diagnostic accuracy of examination tests for lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET)-a systematic review. Journal of Hand Therapy. 2021 Feb 27.</ref>.  Despite the limited evidence, Karanasios et al concluded that the Cozen's test can be used to rule out lateral epicondylitis during a physical examination, and that the grip strength difference between elbow flexion and extension has good diagnostic values for determining the presence and absence of lateral epicondylitis, especially when used in conjunction with diagnostic tests such as ultrasound and MRI.<ref name=":0" />.


== References  ==
== References  ==
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[[Category:Sports Medicine]]
[[Category:Sports Medicine]]
[[Category:Athlete Assessment]]
[[Category:Athlete Assessment]]
[[Category:Assessment]]
[[Category:Elbow - Assessment and Examination]]
[[Category:Elbow - Special Tests]]

Latest revision as of 12:58, 13 January 2022

Purpose[edit | edit source]

The purpose of Cozen's test (also known as the "resisted wrist extension test" or "resistive tennis elbow test") is to check for lateral epicondylalgia or "tennis elbow".

Patient Position[edit | edit source]

The patient should be seated, with the elbow extended forearm maximal pronation, wrist radially abducted, and hand in a fist.

Examiner Position[edit | edit source]

The therapist should stabilise elbow while palpating lateral epicondyle, other hand placed on the dorsum of the hand.

Technique[edit | edit source]

The patient is asked to move the wrist to dorsal flexion and the therapist provides resistance to this movement, in the position described above.[1] The test is positive if pain on the lateral epicondyle is elicited.
 

Cozen's test video provided by Clinically Relevant

Helpful Tips[edit | edit source]

To reduce the likelihood of finding pathology at the origin of extensor digitorum, keep the patient’s fingers flexed during resisted wrist extension. During isometric wrist extension, the counter-force should be applied on the dorsoradial aspect of the fist to reduce involving extensor carpi ulnaris and thus obtaining a false-positive finding if there is pathology within this muscle/tendon.[2]

Evidence[edit | edit source]

A recent study by Karanasios et al stated that physical examination tests’ diagnostic accuracy has been under-researched but available evidence suggests that the Cozen’s test reported high sensitivity (91%) while a grip strength difference of 5%-10% between elbow flexion and extension showed high sensitivity (78%-83%) and specificity (80%-90%)[3]. Despite the limited evidence, Karanasios et al concluded that the Cozen's test can be used to rule out lateral epicondylitis during a physical examination, and that the grip strength difference between elbow flexion and extension has good diagnostic values for determining the presence and absence of lateral epicondylitis, especially when used in conjunction with diagnostic tests such as ultrasound and MRI.[3].

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Zwerus EL, Somford MP, Maissan F, Heisen J, Eygendaal D, van den Bekerom MP. Physical examination of the elbow, what is the evidence? A systematic literature review. Br J Sports Med. 2018 Oct 1;52(19):1253-60.
  2. Kochar M, Dogra A. Effectiveness of a specific physiotherapy regimen on patients with tennis elbow: clinical study. Physiotherapy, 2002; 88: 333–341.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Karanasios S, Korakakis V, Moutzouri M, Drakonaki E, Koci K, Pantazopoulou V, Tsepis E, Gioftsos G. Diagnostic accuracy of examination tests for lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET)-a systematic review. Journal of Hand Therapy. 2021 Feb 27.