Eur J Anat, 17 (3): 182-185 (2013)

A new clinical test to identify correct rotation of the forearm

Ayush Gupta

Government Medical College and Associated STM Hospital, Haldwani, Uttarakhand, India

ABSTRACT It is a common practice to label the forearm to be supinated, pronated or midprone, depending upon whether the palm is facing up, facing down or towards the body respectively, without considering the position of the humerus or the shoulder joint. It was observed that examination of the forearm in various body postures with different positions of the humerus makes the forearm appear rotated, even if the forearm had remained fixed in the same rotational alignment. A clinical test is described to help identify the correct rotation of the forearm, irrespective of the position and placement of the humerus, the shoulder and the trunk.

Keywords: Supination, Pronation, Forearm rotation, Clinical test