Wadsworth Elbow Flexion Test: Purpose, Technique, and Interpretation

Published July 27, 2026 Read time 1 min read Readers 43
Wadsworth Elbow Flexion Test

What Is the Wadsworth Elbow Flexion Test Used For?

The Wadsworth Elbow Flexion Test is a provocative clinical examination used to help diagnose:

  • Ulnar nerve neuropathy
  • Cubital tunnel syndrome (ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow)

How to Perform the Wadsworth Elbow Flexion Test

Standard technique:

  1. Ask the patient to fully flex the elbow.
  2. Extend the wrist.
  3. Abduct the shoulder girdle to 90° with depression.
  4. Have the patient hold this position for 3 to 5 minutes.

Modified version (shoulder internal rotation elbow flexion test):
Ochi et al. modified the test by adding medial (internal) rotation of the shoulder. In this version, symptoms are expected to appear in under 5 seconds, making it considerably faster than the standard test.

What Is a Positive Result?

A positive test is indicated by tingling or paresthesia in the ulnar nerve distribution of the forearm and hand.