Upper limb HVLA
Page created: March 11, 2021
Notes
Upper limbs
Upper limb HVLA
UPPER LIMB HVLA | ||
| DIAGNOSIS | TREATMENT POSITION | DIRECTION OF THRUST |
| Adducted forearm (Varus elbow) | Place patient’s elbow into full extension, grasp elbow using thenar eminence to provide a fulcrum on lateral side of elbow | Lateral to medial thrust on posterolateral aspect of radial head and medial to lateral thrust at distal ulna |
| Abducted forearm (Valgus elbow) | Place patient’s elbow into full extension, grasp elbow using thenar eminence to provide a fulcrum on medial side of elbow | Medial to lateral thrust on posterolateral aspect of proximal ulna and lateral to medial thrust at distal ulna |
| Posterior radial head (Pronation) | Place patient’s elbow into full extension and supination, place thumb pad on posterior aspect of radial head | Posterior to anterior thrust to posterior aspect of radial head while further extending and supinating the elbow |
| Anterior radial head (Supination) | Place patient’s elbow into flexion and pronation, place hypothenar eminence on anterior aspect of radial head | Anterior to posterior thrust to anterior aspect of radial head while further flexing and pronating the elbow |
| Radiocarpal | Place thumbs on dorsal aspect of patient’s hand with fingers on palmar aspect of hand, apply slight traction, extend and abduct / adduct patient's hand to localize to the dysfunctional segment | Posterior to anterior (dorsal to palmar) thrust to dorsal surface of affected bone |
Author: Arman Israelyan, OMS-III
Editor: Matt Lipinski, DO
Editor: Robyn Hughes, MScBMC
Key Takeaways
Upper limb High-Velocity Low-Amplitude (HVLA) is a manual therapy technique that is used to address joint dysfunction and restore normal joint motion in the upper extremities, including the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand.