Cozens sign is used to diagnose which condition?

• A. Cubital tunnel syndrome
• B. Lateral epicondylitis
• C. Medial epicondylitis
• D. Carpal tunnel syndrome

Answer: (B)

Cozen's sign is a provocative test for lateral epicondylitis, an overuse injury of the common extensor tendon origin at the lateral elbow. In this test the forearm is pronated and the elbow is stabilized while the patient tries to extend the wrist against resistance (often with a fist). If pain is produced at the lateral epicondyle, the sign is considered positive, pointing to tendinopathy of the wrist extensors, most commonly the extensor carpi radialis brevis. This pattern of pain distinguishes it from other elbow and hand conditions: cubital tunnel syndrome involves ulnar nerve symptoms at the elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome produces median nerve symptoms in the hand, and medial epicondylitis causes pain at the medial epicondyle with resisted wrist flexion, not the lateral elbow.