Elbow

• Bony Anatomy:

  • 3 joints that make up the elbow joint
  • humeroradial joint
  • capitulum (humerus)
  • head of radius
  • humeroulnar joint
  • trochlea (humerus)
  • trochlear notch (ulnar)
  • superior radioulnar joint
  • head of radius
  • radial notch on ulnar

  A) Humeroradial joint

  B) Humeroulnar joint

  C) Superior radioulnar joint

  
• Neurovascular structures:

  • brachial artery comes down anterior aspect of elbow before splitting into the ulnar and radial arteries
  • 3 main peripheral nerves going across the elbow into the arm - radial, median, ulnar nerve

  A) brachial artery

  B) radial artery

  C) ulnar artery

  D) radial nerve

  E) median nerve

  F) ulnar nerve

  
• Clinical Framework:

  • consider person
  • triage for red flags
  • stage and SIN
  • dominant pain mechanism
  • can a structural diagnosis be made
• Management:

  1. advice and education
  2. symptom control (as required)
  3. build capacity (prioritise as appropriate)
  4. return to function
• Not to be missed:

  • referred pain from:
  • cervical spine
  • upper thoracic spine
  • shoulder
  • referred pain from:
  • cardiac tissue
  • disorders affecting articular surfaces:
  • osteoarthritis
  • rheumatoid arthritis
• DO THIS LECTURES CASE STUDY WHEN REVISING (IN LECTURE 9 PART 3)