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Chapter 43: Elbow Pain in a Child

Julia L. Burlette; Jill S. Masutomi

Description of the Symptom

This chapter describes possible causes of elbow pain in a child. Local causes of elbow pain are defined as occurring in the region bounded by the distal one-third of the humerus, proximal one-third of the radius and ulna, and corresponding articular and periarticular structures. Remote causes are defined as occurring outside this region.

Special Concerns

  • Decreased pulses

  • Recent change of status from previous

  • Skin breakdown and wound problems

  • Warmth and swelling associated with a fever

CHAPTER PREVIEW: Conditions That May Lead to Elbow Pain in a Child
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CHAPTER PREVIEW: Conditions That May Lead to Elbow Pain in a Child
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T  Trauma
REMOTE LOCAL GENERALIZED LOCAL ANTERIOR LOCAL LATERAL LOCAL POSTERIOR LOCAL MEDIAL
COMMON
Acute brachial plexus injury 859

Dislocations:

• Elbow dislocation 861

Fractures:

• Supracondylar fracture of the humerus 863

 Not applicable

Fractures:

• Lateral condyle 862

Osteochondritis/osteochondrosis:

• Osteochondritis of the capitellum (Little Leaguer's elbow) 866

• Osteochondrosis of the capitellum (Panner's disease) 867

Pulled elbow (nursemaid's elbow, acute radial head subluxation) 867

 Not applicable

Fractures:

• Medial epicondyle 862
UNCOMMON
Obstetric brachial plexus injury 860

Fractures:

  • Monteggia fracture-dislocation 863

  • Transphyseal fracture 864

Nerve injury:

  • Median nerve injury 865

Muscle strains:

  • Extensor muscle strain 865

Nerve injury:

  • Radial nerve injury 866

Fractures:

  • Olecranon 863

Medial collateral ligament sprain/disruption or insufficiency 865

Muscle strains:

  • Flexor/pronator muscle strain 865

Nerve injury:

  • Ulnar nerve injury 866
RARE
Cervical radiculopathy 860 Not applicable

Fractures:

  • Coronoid process 862

Dislocations:

  • Radial head dislocation, traumatic 861

Fractures:

  • Capitellar fracture 862

 Not applicable Not applicable
I  Inflammation
REMOTE LOCAL GENERALIZED LOCAL ANTERIOR LOCAL LATERAL LOCAL POSTERIOR LOCAL MEDIAL
COMMON
Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable

Aseptic

Tendinopathies (tendinitis):

  • Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) 868

Septic

Not applicable

Aseptic

Apophysitis:

  • Olecranon 860

Septic

Not applicable

Aseptic

Apophysitis:

  • Medial epicondyle (Little Leaguer's elbow) 860

Tendinopathies (tendinitis):

  • Medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow) 868

Septic

Not applicable
UNCOMMON
Not applicable

Aseptic

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis 864

Septic

Septic arthritis (pyogenic arthritis) 867

 Not applicable Not applicable

Aseptic

Tendinopathies (tendinitis):

  • Triceps tendinitis 868

Septic

Not applicable

 Not applicable
RARE
Not applicable

Aseptic

Not applicable

Septic

Osteomyelitis 867

Systemic fungal infection 868

Tuberculosis 869

Aseptic

Tendinopathies (tendinitis):

  • Distal biceps tendinitis 868

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 Myositis ossificans 865 Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable
RARE
Not applicable Gout 864 Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable
Va  Vascular
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

Arterial injury 861

Compartment syndrome 861

 Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable
RARE
Not applicable Hemophilia 864 Not applicable Not applicable

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