Clinical Utility of the Moving Valgus Stress Test and Milking Maneuver for Medial Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries of the Elbow.

BACKGROUND

Several special tests for detecting medial ulnar collateral ligament (MUCL) injuries of the elbow have been described, but data on the clinical utility of these tests are limited.

PURPOSE: To determine the clinical utility of selected elbow special tests to detect MUCL injuries in an athletic population.

STUDY

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

A total of 84 consecutive patients with sports-related elbow pain underwent a standardized clinical examination. Overall, 6 special tests (moving valgus stress test, static valgus stress test, modified valgus stress test, milking maneuver, pronation flexion resistance test, and temple/cheek press test) were performed. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive/negative predictive value, and positive/negative likelihood ratio (LR+ and LR-, respectively) were calculated for individual tests and combinations of tests to detect MUCL injuries. Higher values for the LR+ and lower values for the LR- represent stronger clinical utility.

RESULTS

For detecting MUCL injuries, the moving valgus stress test resulted in the highest sensitivity (98%) and accuracy (93%) with the lowest LR- (2%). The milking maneuver had the highest LR+ (5.1) with the second highest sensitivity (77%) and accuracy (79%). The pronation flexion resistance test and the temple/cheek press test had the lowest LR+ (1.5 and 1.8, respectively) and highest LR- (94% and 95%, respectively) in addition to the lowest sensitivity (16% and 9%, respectively) and accuracy (33% and 30%, respectively). No combination of tests resulted in increased clinical utility.

CONCLUSION

The moving valgus stress test and milking maneuver demonstrated acceptable clinical utility in which the moving valgus stress test was better for ruling out MUCL injuries and the milking maneuver was better at ruling in MUCL injuries. There was no added value when combining the 2 tests together or with other maneuvers.