Pronator Quadratus Isolation Test
Other Names
- Pronator quadratus strength test
- Pronator quadratus resisted pronation test
- Elbow-flexed pronation test
Purpose
- Assess pronator quadratus muscle function and anterior interosseous nerve dysfunction
- Help differentiate anterior interosseous nerve syndrome from more proximal median neuropathies
Description
- Flex the patient’s elbow to approximately 90 degrees to minimize contribution from the pronator teres
- Position the forearm in neutral or slight supination
- Ask the patient to pronate the forearm against resistance
- Compare strength with the contralateral side
- Positive test
- Weakness of resisted forearm pronation with the elbow flexed
- Asymmetric pronation strength compared with the unaffected side
- Compensation using shoulder internal rotation rather than true forearm pronation
Pathology
- Anterior Interosseous Nerve Syndrome
- Anterior interosseous neuropathy
- Median nerve compression neuropathy
- Neuralgic amyotrophy involving the anterior interosseous nerve
Evidence
- Unknown
See Also
References
- ↑ Pillemer, Roger. "A Systematic Examination of the Elbow and Forearm." Handbook of Upper Extremity Examination: A Practical Guide. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2021. 133-143.
Created by:
John Kiel on 20 May 2026 19:37:09
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Last edited:
20 May 2026 21:57:50
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