Elbow diagnoses

Background

Left elbow-joint with anterior and ulnar collateral ligaments

Arteries of the elbow

Veins of the elbow

Differential Diagnosis

Elbow Diagnoses

Radiograph-Positive

• Distal humerus fracture
• Radial head fracture
  • Essex-Lopresti fracture
• Capitellum fracture
• Olecranon fracture
• Elbow dislocation

Radiograph-Negative

• Biceps tendon rupture/dislocation
• Lateral epicondylitis
• Medial epicondylitis
• Olecranon bursitis (nonseptic)
• Pronator teres syndrome
• Septic bursitis

Pediatric

• Nursemaid's elbow
• Supracondylar fracture
• Lateral epicondyle fracture
• Medial epicondyle fracture
• Olecranon fracture
• Radial head fracture
• Salter-Harris fractures

Evaluation

Normal elbow xrays: lateral and AP

Workup

• Elbow X-ray

Diagnosis

• Typically based on a combination of plain films and clinical exam
• May consider aspiration of bursa or joint when indicated

Radiograph-Positive Images

• 
  Radial head fracture
• 
  Essex-Lopresti fracture
• 
  Olecranon fracture
• 
  Elbow dislocation
• 
  Pediatric supracondylar fracture
• 
  Pediatric medial epicondyle fracture

See Also

• Diagnoses by Body Part (Main)