Elson (1986) describes a bedside clinical test for immediate diagnosis of complete closed central slip ruptures of the finger extensor hood — injuries that are routinely missed acutely because Boyes' test only turns positive after secondary tissue changes develop. The paper details the anatomic rationale and technique for what becomes known as the Elson test.
When you see a swollen, tender PIP joint after dorsal trauma — even with near-normal active extension — perform the Elson test before sending the patient home; a missed central slip rupture treated late becomes a fixed boutonnière deformity requiring complex reconstruction.
Elson (1986) describes a bedside clinical test for immediate diagnosis of complete closed central slip ruptures of the finger extensor hood — injuries that are routinely missed acutely because Boyes' test only turns positive after secondary tissue changes develop. The paper details the anatomic rationale and technique for what becomes known as the Elson test.
When you see a swollen, tender PIP joint after dorsal trauma — even with near-normal active extension — perform the Elson test before sending the patient home; a missed central slip rupture treated late becomes a fixed boutonnière deformity requiring complex reconstruction.