Mill’s Test

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Original Editor - Tyler Shultz, Matthias Verlinden

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1 Search Strategy

Key words: Lateral epicondylitis, Manual test, Mills test, Orthopedic elbow diagnosis.
In databases: PubMed, WebOfKnowledge, PEDro for verification of evidence quality

2 Purpose

Diagnosing Lateral Epicondylitis in the elbow, also known as “Tennis Elbow”.

2.1 Clinical presentation

Presenting equally in men and women, 1% to 3% of the population will experience lateral epicondylitis in their lifetime, usually between ages 35 and 50. Patients report pain at the lateral elbow that radiates down the forearm. In addition, patients often complain of weakened grip and difficulties lifting objects. On physical examination, patients typically have point tenderness medial and distal to the lateral epicondyle.

Condition	Patient age	Mechanism of injury	Symptoms aggrevated by	Observation	Tenderness with palpation
Lateral epicondilitis	35-55	Gradual overuse	Activities involving wrist extention/grasping	Possible swelling (over lateral elbow)	Lateral elbow (over the Extensr carpi radialis brevis)

2.2 Pathology

The histoligical aspects of the injury to the ECRB origin appears to be multifaceted, involving hypovascular zones, eccentric & concentric tendon stresses, and a microscopic degenerative response.

In most cases the lesion involves the specialized junctional tissue (intercel adhesion molecules)at the origin of the common extensor muscle at the lateral humeral epicondyle, specifically the tendonous origin of Extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) first time write in full. And in 35% of the cases the origo of m.extensor digitorum communis and ECRL will also be overstrained. The lesion is characterized by microscopic tears, which may be superficial or deep and situated at the tendinous origin of ECRB into the periosteum of the lateral humeral epicondyle. Microavulsion fractures may be seen as well as lymphocyte infiltration, calcification, scar tissue, and fibrinoid degeneration may be evident in some cases; repair is by immature fibroblasts.

3 Technique

1. Patient is seated.
2. The clinician palpates the patient’s lateral epicondyle with one hand, while pronating the patient’s forearm, fully flexing the wrist, the elbow extended.
3. A reproduction of pain in the area of the insertion at the lateral epicondyle indicates a positive test.

Other techniques to diagnose Lateral Epicondylitis

Maudsley’s test = Resisted third digit extention
Cozen’s test = Resisted wrist extention with radial deviation and full pronation
Chair lift test = Lifting the back of a chair with a three finger pinch (thumb, index long fingers) and the elbow fully extended

4 Key research

A study (By Tuomo Pienimäki et al. 2002) found that Pain thresholds at the lateral epicondyles are strongly associated with pain on palpation and a positive Mills test, providing evidence.

Wadsworth found that a forceful Mills movement under general anesthesia produces an audible snap and provides good results, although no scientific reason is given. Hereby giving evidence for the effectiveness of the movement itself.

The Mills test is a very straightforeward test who is described in most of the physical therapy manuals. Kowing that expert opinion is only level 5 evidence, consensus about diagnostic effectivenessby a range of experts, can be used to make weak recommendations where there is lack of higher quality evidence.

More research is required.

5 Resources

The Mills test is named after the clinical findings by G Percival Mills, F.R.C.S who published his findings in The British Medical Journal (Jan 7th 1928) and updated this on July 31. 1937.

6 References

Nirschl RP, Ashman ES. Elbow tendinopathy: tennis elbow. Clin Sports Med 2003;22:813– 836.
Allander E. Prevalence, incidence, and remission rates of some common rheumatic diseases or syndromes. Scand J Rheumatol 1974;3:145–153.
Whaley AL, Baker CL. Lateral epicondylitis. Clin Sports Med 2004;23:677– 691
Pomerance J. Radiographic analysis of lateral epicondylitis. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2002;11:156 –157.
FARO F , Wolf J. Lateral epicondylitis: Review and current concepts- journal of hand surgery Vol 32A NO.8 October 2007
Pecina M. Bojanic. Overuse injuries of the musculoskeletal system. CRC press Boca Rotan, USA, 1993
Wadsworth T, Tennis elbow : conservative, surgical, and manipulative treatment. British medical journal Volume 294 7 march 1987
Geoffroy P., et al. Diagnosing an d treating lateral epicondylitis. Canadian Family Physitian VOL 40: Jan 1994

Tuomo Pienimäki, M.D Ph.D et al. Associations Between Pain, Grip Strength, and Manual Tests in the Treatment Evaluation of Chronic Tennis Elbow . The clinical journal of pain 18: 164-170 2002 (Qual=B)
G. Percival Mills Treatment of tennis elbow. The british medical journal 12. Jan 7. 1928 (Qual=D)
G. Percival Mills Treatment of tennis elbow. The british medical journal 212 July 31 1937

Recent Related Research (from Pubmed)

see tutorial on Adding PubMed Feed

References

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