Elson Extensor Tendon Test

Aka: Elson Extensor Tendon Test, Elson's Test

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II. Anatomy

  1. orthoArmHandPalmLtGrayBB427.gif Lewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)

III. Indications

  1. Extensor Tendon Injury evaluation at PIP Joint
    1. Risk of Central Slip Extensor Tendon Injury and secondary Boutonniere Deformity

IV. Exam: Elson Test

  1. Technique
    1. Patient rests their hand on table with involved finger flexed 90 degrees at the PIP Joint over the table edge
    2. Patient attempts to extend finger at PIP joint against resistance
  2. Interpretation
    1. Positive if weak extension against resistance (Central Slip Extensor Tendon Injury)
    2. Also observe if distal phalanx hyperextends while attempting PIP extension (due to lateral band tension)

V. Resources

  1. Extensor Tendon Injuries: PIP and Elson's Test
    1. http://lacerationrepair.com/soft-tissue/extensor-tendon-injuries-pip-elsons-test/
  2. ALIEM
    1. https://www.aliem.com/2013/07/elsons-test/
  3. Youtube Video (Univ. Michigan Family Medicine)
    1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyHSKgAZ1eA

VI. References

  1. Spangler and Lin (2016) EM:Rap 16(1): 18
  2. Elson (1986) J Bone Joint Surg Br 68(2):229-31 +PMID:3958008 [PubMed]

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