From the front
- For normal carrying angle
From the side
- For flexion deformities
Observe posterior and medial aspect
- Signs of scars
- Olecranon bursitis
- Rheumatoid nodules
- Sciatic plaques
Compare temperature with adjacent sites.
Feel for tenderness in the:
- olecranon process
- lateral and medial epycondyles
Full extension and flexion, actively and passively.
- Feel joint for crepitus.
- Look for hypermobility, or other causes of excessive extension.
Also do pronation and supination, actively and passively.
- The radial head can easily be identified when holding elbow.
Finally... Get them to touch nose to ascertain function.