Is Cozen's Test considered an active or passive test?

Cozen's Test is classified as an active test. This test is designed to assess the integrity of the lateral epicondyle and the common extensor muscles of the forearm, particularly in identifying conditions such as lateral epicondylitis (commonly known as tennis elbow). During the test, the examiner asks the patient to actively resist the extension of the wrist while maintaining elbow flexion. This resistance creates a contraction of the extensor muscles. The active engagement of the patient in the movement is what categorizes Cozen's Test as an active test, emphasizing the patient's participation in the diagnostic process.

This test relies on the patient's voluntary actions and the examiner's observations of pain, which distinguishes it from passive tests, which do not involve the patient's active engagement and are solely determined by the clinician's movement of the limb or joint being tested. Understanding this dynamic is crucial for correctly identifying how different types of tests assess musculoskeletal injuries and their implications in clinical practice.