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Background Posterolateral rotator instability (PLRI) is the most common pattern of recurrent elbow instability and current imaging to aid PLRI diagnosis is limited. Thus, we sought to define use of ultrasound (US) to determine normal lateral ulnohumeral joint measurements, with and without posterolateral drawer testing to provide an insight into how US may aid diagnosis. Methods Sixty elbows were evaluated in thirty healthy volunteers. The lateral ulnohumeral gap (LUHG) was measured with US in the resting position whilst the posterolateral drawer stress test maneuver was applied. Joint laxity was calculated as the difference between maximum stress and average rest measurements. Two independent readers assessed each elbow with comparison performed between stress and rest positions. Results: differences in LUHG were evident between stress and rest conditions (Reader 1: p Conclusions This study demonstrates a dynamic US assessment for PLRI, which aimed to assess the usefulness and feasibility of a laxity measurement following the application of a posterolateral drawer stress maneuver in a healthy population. Whilst establishing concordance between readers in measuring a LUHG under stress, the utility of a laxity measurement alone is not clear as correlation of measurements is not excellent, hence an upper limit of normal (ULN) for the ulnohumeral gap under stress maybe more useful. Further evaluation of this technique is required in patients with PLRI.