Pepper Test | Lateral Elbow Pain

Execution:

1. Patient is in sitting or standing position
2. The examiner supports the arm of the patient with the elbow in a flexed position
3. The examiner palpates the posterior aspect of the radiocapitellar joint
4. The examiner then passively extends the elbow while maintaining pressure on the joint line

 

Positive Outcome: The patient experiences pain while extending the elbow

Study	Reliability	Sn	Sp	LR+	LR-
Arrigoni et al. (2017): Laxity	NA	40	80	2	0.75
Arrigoni et al. (2017): Intra-articular findings	NA	37.5	100	∞	0.63
Comment: These numbers come from an orthopedic setting with a high prevalence of such findings. This means the numbers appear more promising compared to a first-line clinical setting.