The Elbow

1

Radiographic examination

• AP

• External oblique

• Lateral

2

Elbow joint effusions and the fat pad sign

• Visible posterior fat pad

• Elevation of the anterior fat pad, the sail sign

3

Common sites of injury in adults

• Radial head and neck

• Olecranon

• Coronoid process of ulna

• Distal humerus

4

Common sites of injury in children and adolescents

• Supracondylar of the distal humerus

• Salter-Harris type 4 of lateral condyle

• Avulsion of the medial epicondyle

• Olecranon

5

Injuries likely to be missed

• Monteggia fracture dislocations

  • Missing radial head dislocation

• Fine, subtle fractures of the radial head and neck

• Radial head epiphyseal separation

6