Posterior Radiocapitellar Subluxation Test

Other Names

Description 1

The examiner is on the side of the affected limb, facing the patient
The elbow is flexed to just less than 90° with the forearm in netural
Examiner grasps the patient’s wrist
Opposite thumb placed in the lateral elbow radiocapitellar space (between the radial head, capitellum, and olecranon)
A valgus load is applied to the elbow, the forearm is passively supinated
Positive test
- Palpable posterior radiocapitellar subluxation
- Often associated with a sulcus sign in the soft spot
Repetition
- Supination maneuver may be repeated multiple times to confirm findings
- Awake patients typically tolerate repeated testing without significant pain

Description 2

The starting position of the test is an extended position of elbow
The examiner places one hand's thumb at the posterolateral aspect of radiocaitellar joint
They turns the patient's forearm into a pronated position grasping a wrist with the examiner's another hand
The examiner bends the patient's elbow into a flexed position
- While applying a manual force to the posterolateral aspect of radiocapitellar joint.
- The examiner checks the presence of tenderness
Positive Test
- If the tenderness at the radiocapitellar joint which occurs at low flexion angle is markedly diminished at more than 90° of flexion with maintaining manual compression force, the test is counted as "positive."

Golden et al using pivot shift test as the gold standard^[1]
- Diagnostic accuracy 7.5%
- Sensitivty 75%
- Specificity: 80%

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 Goldin, Amanda N., et al. "A simple and versatile test for elbow posterolateral rotatory instability." Hand 20.1 (2025): 37-42.
↑ Park, Kun-Bo, et al. "Clinical and diagnostic outcomes in arthroscopic treatment for posterolateral plicae impingement within the radiocapitellar joint." Medicine 98.18 (2019): e15497.

Created by:

John Kiel on 21 January 2026 15:47:33

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Last edited:

29 May 2026 12:43:01

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