Common Injuries of the Elbow

Elbow Anatomy The elbow is composed of three bones  Humerus  Radius  Ulna

Elbow Anatomy 5 Muscles create movement at the elbow  Brachialis  Triceps  Biceps  Aconeus  Brachioradialis

Did you know… If the elbow had been placed closer to the hand, the forearm would have been too short to bring a glass to the mouth and if it had been closer to the shoulder the forearm would have been so long that it would have carried the glass beyond the mouth. - Benjamin Franklin

Common Injuries of the Elbow Injuries involving the elbow and forearm are common in almost any athletic activity. Repetitive sports activities cause the majority of the injuries. Activities that place the arm in full extension cause most elbow injuries  Throwing a baseball, swinging a racket or club

Contusions An injury resulting from a direct blow or force that does not break the skin – typically bruising is seen at the injury site Direct blows that cause contusions can also cause other trauma such as a fracture Myositis Ossificans – bone grows in the skeletal muscle occurs when there are repeated contusions at a specific area

Contusions - Treatment Rest Ice Compression Elevation Protective padding helps prevent the area from sustaining additional injury

Ulnar Nerve Contusion Almost everyone has had this happen to them at some point – hitting your funny bone The ulnar nerve is very vulnerable to trauma due to a lack of bony protection Direct blow causes immediate pain and burning to shoot down the ulnar side of the forearm to the ring and little fingers

Olecranon Bursitis Inflammation of the bursa located over the olecranon process of the elbow

Olecranon Bursitis - Causes Single injury to the elbow – hard blow to the tip of the elbow Repeated minor injury – leaning elbow on hard surface Repetitive overuse injury – tennis, golf Possibility of developing increases as individuals age

Olecranon Bursitis - Symptoms Swelling in the elbow – sometimes large enough to restrict motion Pain originates from elbow joint – can be mild or severe – can spread to the rest of the arm If Bursa are infected there will be prominent redness and skin will feel warm

Olecranon Bursitis - Signs

Olecranon Bursitis - Treatment Rest Ice Compress Ultrasound therapy Anti-inflammatory's Pain Medications Occasionally the fluid is aspirated – fluid removed via syringe

Epicondylitis A chronic strain of the medial or lateral epicondyle in the elbow Tennis Elbow – Strain to the lateral epicondyle Golfers Elbow – Strain to the medial epicondyle

Epicondylitis – Signs and Symptoms Pain and tenderness over the involved epicondyle and muscles used Some swelling may be apparent Resisted wrist motion often produces pain

Epicondylitis – Treatment 80-95% of patients recover without needing surgery Rest – Ice – Compression – Elevation Ultrasound Ice Massage Electrical Stimulation

Elbow Dislocation Elbow is the 2 nd most frequently dislocated joint Usually occurs as the result of a fall onto an outstretched hand with the elbow in extension

Elbow Dislocation – Signs & Symptoms Obvious deformity Loss of elbow function Considerable Pain Normal X-Ray Dislocated X-Ray

Treatment See a doctor as soon as possible Delay in having the joint reset increases the risk for nerve and blood vessel damage Children with elbow dislocations should be examined for possible injuries to growth plates

Tennis Elbow Article Read the following article (click on hyperlink)  Write a 300 word summary of the article (can be written or typed  Create 3 questions for a class discussion (print a copy of the article if you want to refer to it during the class discussion) Tennis Elbow Article