Elbow
Epicondylitis (Medial)
Evidence: confirmed
Reverse Mill's Test Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Diagnosing Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer's Elbow).
How to Perform
- Position: Patient sits.
- Action: Examiner passively extends the wrist and fully extends the elbow (stretching the flexors).
Interpretation of Results
- Positive Test: Pain over the medial epicondyle.
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Reverse Mill's Test 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 Reverse Mill's Test with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment.
