4. Elbow joint and Forearm

Question 1

Where are the fat pads for the elbow joint in relation to the joint capsule

Answer 1

They are intracapsular on the back in the deep olecranon fossa and front in the shallow coranoid fossa just superior of the capitulum and trochlea but they are extra synovial.

Question 2

What is the Sail sign and what does it tell us for adults/ children

Answer 2

This is the elevation of the posterior and anterior fat pads showing as dark triangles poking out of the olecranon and coranoid fossa respectively. This indicates fluid effusion in the joint caused by trauma. In adults this is because of a radial head fracture whereas in children this is a supracondylar fracture.

Question 3

What does Ring fracture mean

Answer 3

The two bones in the forearm are like a ring so if there is a break in one bone, it is expected that there is a break or dislocation in the other bone.
Therefore two views are essential and both ends of the bone should be visualised