Elbow
Muscle & Tendon
Evidence: confirmed
Triceps Squeeze Test Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Diagnosing Triceps Tendon Rupture.
How to Perform
- Position: Patient lies prone with the arm hanging over the table edge.
- Action: Squeeze the triceps muscle belly.
Interpretation of Results
- Positive Test: Absence of elbow extension (arm does not straighten slightly) indicates rupture.
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Triceps Squeeze 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 Triceps Squeeze Test with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment.
