What does a positive Yergason's test most commonly indicate?

What does a positive Yergason's test most commonly indicate?

• A. Biceps tendonitis or SLAP tear
• B. Lateral epicondylitis
• C. Rotator cuff tear
• D. Olecranon fracture

Answer: (A)

Yergason's test screens for pathology of the long head of the biceps tendon as it sits in the bicipital groove. A positive result most commonly points to biceps tendonitis or a SLAP tear because the maneuver places tension on the tendon and can provoke pain when the tendon is inflamed or the relevant labral structures are torn. In the test, the elbow is flexed about 90 degrees, the forearm pronated, and the patient tries to supinate against resistance while the examiner palpates the bicipital groove. Pain in the groove or a palpable tendon snap during resisted supination indicates pathology of the tendon or its anchor. Lateral epicondylitis would typically present with pain at the lateral elbow tied to resisted wrist extension, not specifically in the bicipital groove. A rotator cuff tear involves weakness and pain with shoulder movements, not isolated to the biceps tendon groove tested here. An olecranon fracture presents with elbow trauma signs such as focal tenderness, swelling, or deformity, and isn’t diagnosed by this maneuver.

Yergason's test screens for pathology of the long head of the biceps tendon as it sits in the bicipital groove. A positive result most commonly points to biceps tendonitis or a SLAP tear because the maneuver places tension on the tendon and can provoke pain when the tendon is inflamed or the relevant labral structures are torn. In the test, the elbow is flexed about 90 degrees, the forearm pronated, and the patient tries to supinate against resistance while the examiner palpates the bicipital groove. Pain in the groove or a palpable tendon snap during resisted supination indicates pathology of the tendon or its anchor.

Lateral epicondylitis would typically present with pain at the lateral elbow tied to resisted wrist extension, not specifically in the bicipital groove. A rotator cuff tear involves weakness and pain with shoulder movements, not isolated to the biceps tendon groove tested here. An olecranon fracture presents with elbow trauma signs such as focal tenderness, swelling, or deformity, and isn’t diagnosed by this maneuver.