Author: Adills Moosa, DO., MPH
Senior Editor: Christian Fulmer, DO
Editor: Marisa Jayakar, MD
Patient Presentation:
Acute Left arm pain.
History:
We present a case of a left hand dominant 44-year-old Caucasian male who presented to clinic for a two-day history of left arm pain. He reported a 25 pack-year history of cigarette smoking and was attempting to flip a “350-pound tire” during a session of CrossFit, when he felt the immediate onset of burning pain and weakness of the left elbow and forearm. On the date of injury, he presented to a local emergency department where he was diagnosed with a “mild muscle strain” and discharged home with ibuprofen.
Physical Exam:
Inspection: loss of the normal biceps muscle contour with a “reverse Popeye” deformity Case Photo #1 , mild swelling along the proximal anterior section of the left forearm, no bruising or hematoma.
Palpation: tenderness along the left antecubital fossa.
Range of motion: posterior radial head dysfunction on the left and slightly limited active range of motion in flexion/abduction of the left shoulder.
Neurologic: 4+/5 strength in elbow flexion and forearm supination.
Special tests: Hook test positive, Biceps Squeeze test failed to elicit forearm supination.
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