Mills test is used to diagnose which condition?

• A. Lateral epicondylitis
• B. Medial epicondylitis
• C. Olecranon bursitis
• D. Ulnar nerve entrapment

Answer: (A)

Mills test evaluates the common extensor tendon at the lateral elbow, signaling lateral epicondylitis. The maneuver places a stretch on the wrist extensor muscles by extending the elbow, pronating the forearm, and passively flexing the wrist. This tension particularly targets the extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon at the lateral epicondyle. If pain is reproduced there, it points to lateral epicondylitis. Medial epicondylitis would be suggested by pain at the medial side with different provocative maneuvers, olecranon bursitis presents with swelling rather than tendon stretch pain, and ulnar nerve entrapment shows numbness in the ulnar distribution rather than a reproduced lateral elbow tendon pain.