To des
cribe and determine the usefulness of provo
cative tests for the wrist and elbow a literature sear
ch was performed. A total of 31 diagnosti
c studies were identified, assessed, and ranked. The highest ranking tests had a mean positive likelihood ratio of ¡Ý2.0, or a mean negative likelihood ratio of ¡Ü0.5, from more than one study. The highly re
commended tests were found to be the Phalen's, Tinel's test for
carpal tunnel and
cubital tunnel, and modified
compression test, s
caphoid shift test, and elbow flexion test. A total of 14 tests met our requirements to be
considered a re
commended test. A greater number of provo
cative tests either do not have adequate data to support their usefulness or their
clini
cal utility has not been assessed. This information may assist hand therapists in
choosing whi
ch provo
cative tests are
considered
clini
cally useful in improving the probability of the presen
ce or absen
ce of pathology in the hand, wrist, and elbow.
class=""h4"">Level of evidence
NA.