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Chapter 12: Elbow Pain

Julia L. Burlette; John M. Itamura

Description of the Symptom

This chapter describes pathology that may lead to elbow pain. Local causes of elbow pain include the distal one-third of the humerus, proximal one-third of the radium and ulna, and the corresponding articular and periarticular structures. Remote causes are defined as occurring outside these regions.

Special Concerns

  • Decreased pulses

  • Marked swelling and paresthesias

  • Recent change of status from previous status

  • Skin breakdown or wound problems

  • Warmth and swelling associated with a fever

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CHAPTER PREVIEW: Conditions That May Lead to Elbow Pain
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CHAPTER PREVIEW: Conditions That May Lead to Elbow Pain
T Trauma
REMOTE LOCAL GENERALIZED LOCAL ANTERIOR LOCAL LATERAL LOCAL POSTERIOR LOCAL MEDIAL
COMMON

Cervical radiculopathies:

  • C6 radiculopathy 182

 Elbow dislocation 184

Muscle strains:

  • Flexor/pronator muscle strain 190

Fractures:

  • Radial head fracture 187

Muscle strains:

  • Extensor muscle strain 190

Bursitis:

  • Traumatic aseptic olecranon bursitis 183

Fractures:

  • Olecranon fracture 186

Nerve entrapments:

  • Ulnar neuropathy/neuritis 192

Ligament injuries:

  • Medial collateral ligament insufficiency 189

Muscle strains:

  • Flexor/pronator muscle strain 190

Nerve entrapments:

  • Ulnar neuropathy/neuritis 192
UNCOMMON

Cervical radiculopathies:

  • C8 radiculopathy 182

Fractures:

  • Intercondylar fracture of the humerus 185

  • Monteggia fracture-dislocation 186

  • Supracondylar fracture of the humerus 188

  • Transolecranon fracture-dislocation 188

Post-traumatic osteoarthrosis/osteoarthritis 193

Terrible triad 196

Biceps tendon distal rupture 182

Nerve entrapments:

  • Median nerve compression in the proximal forearm 191

Ligament injuries:

  • Lateral ulnar collateral ligament insufficiency (posterolateral rotatory instability) 189

Nerve entrapments:

  • Deep radial nerve entrapment (posterior interosseous nerve paralysis, supinator syndrome, radial tunnel syndrome) 190

Posterior interosseous nerve injury postsurgical 192

 Valgus extension overload syndrome 198

Ligament injuries:

  • Medial collateral ligament insufficiency 189
RARE
Not applicable Snapping triceps syndrome 194

Biceps muscle tear 182

Fractures:

  • Coronoid fracture 185

Fractures:

  • Capitellar fracture 184

Nerve entrapments:

  • Musculocutaneous or lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve entrapment 191

 Triceps rupture 196

Nerve entrapments:

  • Median nerve compression in the supracondylar tunnel 191

Snapping triceps syndrome 194
I Inflammation
REMOTE LOCAL GENERALIZED LOCAL ANTERIOR LOCAL LATERAL LOCAL POSTERIOR LOCAL MEDIAL
COMMON
Not applicable

Aseptic

Rheumatoid arthritis 193

Septic

Not applicable

 Not applicable

Aseptic

Tendinopathies:

  • Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) 194

Septic

Not applicable

Aseptic

Tendinopathies:

  • Triceps tendinitis 195

Septic

Not applicable

Aseptic

Tendinopathies:

  • Medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow) 195

Septic

Not applicable
UNCOMMON
Not applicable

Aseptic

Not applicable

Septic

Osteomyelitis of the distal humerus, proximal radius, and ulna 192

Septic arthritis 193

 Not applicable Not applicable Aseptic

Bursitis:

  • Chronic aseptic olecranon bursitis 183

Septic

Bursitis:

  • Septic olecranon bursitis 183

 Not applicable
RARE
Not applicable Not applicable

Aseptic

Tendinopathies:

  • Distal biceps tendinitis 194

Septic

Not applicable

 Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable
M Metabolic
REMOTE LOCAL GENERALIZED LOCAL ANTERIOR LOCAL LATERAL LOCAL POSTERIOR LOCAL MEDIAL
COMMON
Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable
UNCOMMON
Not applicable

Gout 189

Heterotopic ossification 189

 Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable
RARE
Not applicable Pseudogout 193 Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable
Va Vascular
REMOTE LOCAL GENERALIZED LOCAL ANTERIOR LOCAL ...

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