What does a positive result in Mill's Test indicate?

A positive result in Mill's Test indicates pain in the lateral epicondyle region. This test is specifically designed to assess for lateral epicondylitis, commonly known as "tennis elbow." During the test, the patient's arm is placed in extension, the wrist is flexed, and resistance is applied to the wrist flexors. Pain elicited in the area of the lateral epicondyle suggests irritation or inflammation of the common extensor tendons at their origin, confirming the diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis.

Understanding the other potential options helps clarify the specificity of the Mill's Test. Pain over the medial epicondyle is not associated with Mill's Test, as it focuses on the lateral aspect of the elbow. Paresthesia in the median nerve distribution is indicative of issues such as carpal tunnel syndrome, rather than lateral epicondylitis. Furthermore, pain in the wrist extensors typically aligns with the test outcome, but is broader than the precise location indicated by a positive Mill's Test, which is specifically in the lateral epicondyle.