College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) Practice Exam

During Cozen's Test, what action does the therapist perform while assessing the patient?

1. Extend the elbow

2. Palpate the medial epicondyle

3. Stabilize the elbow with thumb

4. Assess wrist flexion

The correct answer is: Stabilize the elbow with thumb

During Cozen's Test, the therapist stabilizes the elbow with the thumb. This assessment is specifically designed to evaluate for lateral epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow. By stabilizing the elbow, the therapist ensures that the movement being tested originates from the wrist rather than being influenced by the elbow joint. The applied movement typically involves having the patient extend their wrist against resistance while the therapist maintains stability at the elbow. This isolates the action of the wrist extensors, helping to reproduce symptoms associated with lateral epicondylitis. Stabilization is crucial in this test to accurately assess the integrity and function of the muscles and tendons involved. Other actions, such as extending the elbow or assessing wrist flexion, do not accurately reflect the specific mechanics and purpose of Cozen's Test since they would involve different muscle groups and potentially confuse the diagnosis. Palpating the medial epicondyle is unrelated to this test, as it is focused on the lateral aspect of the elbow. Hence, the correct understanding of the therapeutic action during Cozen's Test centers around the stabilization of the elbow.