Elbow Grading Rubric

Total _____/75

History - These include, but are not limited to: Total ___/8 (1 pt each) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 (quick mark offs)

_____ What happened?_____ Varus or valgus force?_____ Medication(s)
_____ Direction of force applied_____ When is pain worse?_____ Changes in daily routine
_____ Rate pain level_____ How did it happen?_____Sounds/sensations
_____ Length of symptoms_____ Location of pain_____ Type of pain
_____ Movement or pain_____ Radiating pain_____ Referred pain
_____ Onset (acute or chronic)_____ Pain constant/intermittent_____ Sleeping Problems
_____ Is this your dominant arm_____ Previous Rx_____ Altered Sensations
_____ Did you fall on an outstretched hand_____ Previous history (shoulder/wrist/hand problems/pain) 

Inspection/Observation - These include, but are not limited to: Total ___/ 8 (1 pt each) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 (quick)

_____ Bilateral comparison_____ Deformity_____ Swelling
_____ Gait symmetry_____ Symmetry of muscle tone_____ Skin color
_____ Scars/lacerations_____ Atrophy/hypertrophy_____ Clothing removal
_____ Facial expressions_____ Wrist and hand posture_____ Attitude of head
_____ Palmar creases_____ Cascade sign_____ Knuckles
_____ Subungual hematoma_____ Thenar/ hypo eminencies_____ Facial pain

Palpations ***Total___/ 7 (Palpations) ( 1 pt each)

Bony Palpation - Reasons for bony palpation: AT palpates for: Total 2 points (.5 each) ______

____ Point tenderness____ Deformity___ Crepitus___ Symmetry

Bony Palpations:

____ Medial Epicondyle____ Lateral Epicondyle___Head of the Radius ___ Olecranon

Soft Tissue Palpation - Reasons for soft tissue palpation: AT palpates for: 2 points (.5 each)_______

_____ Point tenderness_____ Symmetry_____ Spasm/tone_____ Swelling/warmth

Soft Tissue Palpation:

_____ Radial Collateral Ligament_____Ulnar Collateral Ligament _____Brachioradialis

Range of Motion ***Total____/3 (ROM) (1 pt each)

___ Active ROM (F,E,S.P) 
___ Passive ROM (F,E,S.P)Bi-Lateral _________ 1 pt
___ Manual muscle (F,E,S.P) 

Special tests ***Total_____/24 (Special tests) (1 each)***

Golfer’s ElbowCozens
___ Name___ Name
___ + Test___ + Test
___ Testing for Medial Epicondylitis___ Testing for Tennis Elbow
___ Proper Mechanics___ Proper Mechanics
Tennis ElbowTinel’s Sign
___ Name___ Name
___ + Test___ + Test
___ Testing for Lateral Epicondylitis___ Testing for Ulnar Nerve Comp.
___ Proper Mechanics___ Proper Mechanics
ValgusVarus
___ Name___ Name
___ + Test___ + Test
___ Testing for MCL injury___ Testing for LCL injury
___ Proper Mechanics___ Proper Mechanics

Action: 6 points ________

What are three modalities you could use for treatment on the first visit to the clinic. Explain why you picked those modalities. (Modality each 1 pt explain the why for each modality 1 pt) Total 6 pts

  • 1.
  • 2.
  • 3.

Tape Job: 4 points________

___ Correct Tape Job
___ Proper application/mechanics
___ Clean and Comfortable
___ Timely

Plan: 10 points________( 2 points for each phase)Correctly and clearly describes what they would do.

Phase 1:Phase 2:Phase 3:Phase 4:Phase 5:
  • Manage pain ____
  • Swelling PRICE____
  • Tools:
  • Begin ROM____
  • Resume cardiovascular 
    training____
  • Tools:
  • Restore ROM____
  • Improve strength and 
  • endurance____
  • Proprioception____
  • Continued 
    cardiovascular
     training____
  • Tools:
  • Restore strength____
  • Sport specific
     exercise____
  • Tools:
  • Return to sport and check in with 
    coordinators____
  • Tools:


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