A comprehensive history and physical examination of the elbow and surrounding joints is the most important part of the evaluation of elbow disorders. The examiner can use further diagnostic studies, such as radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (if necessary), to confirm the diagnosis or further narrow the scope of potential diagnoses. The elbow joint is a complex and difficult joint to examine; therefore, evaluating it in a thorough and orderly fashion is important. Every portion of the examination should be conducted because a wide variety of disorders has similar signs and symptoms.