Elbow
Bone, Joint & General
Evidence: confirmed
Carrying Angle Measurement Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Assessing skeletal alignment (Cubitus Valgus/Varus).
How to Perform
- Action: Patient stands in anatomical position. Measure the angle between the humerus and ulna.
Interpretation of Results
- Normal: Men: 5-10°; Women: 10-15°.
- Abnormal: >15° (Cubitus Valgus) or <5° (Cubitus Varus/Gunstock Deformity).
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Carrying Angle Measurement should be considered as one component of a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment. No single special test has perfect diagnostic accuracy; thus, clinical decision-making should integrate test results with patient-reported symptoms, mechanism of injury, functional impairment, and relevant imaging.
Clinicians should be aware of potential false-positive results in patients with pain sensitisation, muscle guarding, or poor relaxation. For the Elbow region, combining the Carrying Angle Measurement with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment.
