CHT Exam: Upper Extremity Provocative Tests questions and
answers A+ Grade 2026\2027
cervical compression
- correct answer Procedure: Patient sitting. Gently push down on the top of the head. May try with the
head turned either direction. Not done with suspected neck injury or severe RA or cervical DJD
Positive result: Replicates arm pain
Possible indications: DJD of C spine
Adson's test
- correct answer Procedure: Locate radial pulse, abduct, extend and externally rotate the shoulder while
the patient turns the head either way and holds breath
Positive result: Decrease in radial pulse
Possible indications: Possible TOS
Subacromial tenderness
- correct answer Procedure: Extend shoulder and deeply palpate head of humerus
Positive result: Pain in subacromial space
Possible indications: Rotator cuff inflammation
Elbow instability (medial and lateral collateral ligaments)
- correct answer Procedure: Hold the elbow in one hand while using the distal part of the forearm to
stress the elbow in lateral motions
Positive result: Pain and instability
Possible indications: Ligamentous instability
Pronator syndrome test
- correct answer Procedure: 1. Resisted elbow flexion 120-135 degrees 2. Resisted elbow flexion with
forearm pronation 3. Resisted forearm pronation with wrist flexed 4. Resisted flexion of RF FDS
Positive result: Pain in proximal volar surface of the distal forearm
, Possible indications: Compression of the median nerve as it passes through pronator teres
Radial tunnel syndrome test
- correct answer Procedure: 1. Passive pronation of the forearm with the elbow at 45-90 degrees and
wrist in full flexion 2. Isometric active supination from the full pronated position
Positive result: Aching pain in the extensor supinator muscle mass in the proximal forearm
Possible indications: Compression of the radial nerve (PIN) as it passes through the radial tunnel
(radiocapitellar joint to proximal edge of supinator)
Elbow flexion test
- correct answer Procedure: Tight flex elbow with hand and wrist relaxed
Positive result: Distal ulnar nerve paresthesia
Possible indications: Cubital tunnel syndrome
Tennis elbow test
- correct answer Procedure: Resist wrist extension with elbow extended
Positive result: Pain just distal to the lateral epicondyle
Possible indications: Lateral epicondylitis
Golfer's elbow test
- correct answer Procedure: Resist wrist flexion with elbow extended
Positive result: Pain in the proximal medial forearm
Possible indications: Medial epicondylitis
Tinel's test
- correct answer Procedure: Percussion along the course of a peripheral nerve
Positive result: Paresthesia
Possible indications: Nerve irritation / compression
Phalen's test (reverse)
- correct answer Procedure: Severe flexion (or hyperextension) of the wrist for 1 minute
Positive result: Paresthesia in the median nerve distribution
answers A+ Grade 2026\2027
cervical compression
- correct answer Procedure: Patient sitting. Gently push down on the top of the head. May try with the
head turned either direction. Not done with suspected neck injury or severe RA or cervical DJD
Positive result: Replicates arm pain
Possible indications: DJD of C spine
Adson's test
- correct answer Procedure: Locate radial pulse, abduct, extend and externally rotate the shoulder while
the patient turns the head either way and holds breath
Positive result: Decrease in radial pulse
Possible indications: Possible TOS
Subacromial tenderness
- correct answer Procedure: Extend shoulder and deeply palpate head of humerus
Positive result: Pain in subacromial space
Possible indications: Rotator cuff inflammation
Elbow instability (medial and lateral collateral ligaments)
- correct answer Procedure: Hold the elbow in one hand while using the distal part of the forearm to
stress the elbow in lateral motions
Positive result: Pain and instability
Possible indications: Ligamentous instability
Pronator syndrome test
- correct answer Procedure: 1. Resisted elbow flexion 120-135 degrees 2. Resisted elbow flexion with
forearm pronation 3. Resisted forearm pronation with wrist flexed 4. Resisted flexion of RF FDS
Positive result: Pain in proximal volar surface of the distal forearm
, Possible indications: Compression of the median nerve as it passes through pronator teres
Radial tunnel syndrome test
- correct answer Procedure: 1. Passive pronation of the forearm with the elbow at 45-90 degrees and
wrist in full flexion 2. Isometric active supination from the full pronated position
Positive result: Aching pain in the extensor supinator muscle mass in the proximal forearm
Possible indications: Compression of the radial nerve (PIN) as it passes through the radial tunnel
(radiocapitellar joint to proximal edge of supinator)
Elbow flexion test
- correct answer Procedure: Tight flex elbow with hand and wrist relaxed
Positive result: Distal ulnar nerve paresthesia
Possible indications: Cubital tunnel syndrome
Tennis elbow test
- correct answer Procedure: Resist wrist extension with elbow extended
Positive result: Pain just distal to the lateral epicondyle
Possible indications: Lateral epicondylitis
Golfer's elbow test
- correct answer Procedure: Resist wrist flexion with elbow extended
Positive result: Pain in the proximal medial forearm
Possible indications: Medial epicondylitis
Tinel's test
- correct answer Procedure: Percussion along the course of a peripheral nerve
Positive result: Paresthesia
Possible indications: Nerve irritation / compression
Phalen's test (reverse)
- correct answer Procedure: Severe flexion (or hyperextension) of the wrist for 1 minute
Positive result: Paresthesia in the median nerve distribution
