Cozen’s Test
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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]
Sensitivity and specificity has not yet been determined.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Kochar M, Dogra A. Effectiveness of a specific physiotherapy regimen on patients with tennis elbow: clinical study. Physiotherapy, 2002; 88: 333–341.
