Elbow Flashcards
What are the essential projections of the elbow?
AP, lateral, AP oblique medial rotation, AP oblique lateral rotation
What should the patient position be for an AP elbow?
seated at the end of the table
low enough to place the shoulder joint, humerus, and elbow joint in the same plane
What should the part position be for an AP elbow?
upper extremity in same plane with posterior surface in contact with IR
elbow extended and hand supinated
elbow centered to middle of IR
patient leans laterally until the humeral epicondyles are parallel with the plane of IR
Where should the central ray enter for an AP/lateral/and oblique elbow?
perpendicular to elbow joint
What should the collimation be for an ap elbow?
3 inches proximal and distal to elbow joint and 1 inch on the sides
Structures shown/evaluation criteria for AP elbow
- think ulna
-joint space
-epicondyles
-fossae
radial head, neck, and tuberosity slightly superimposed over the proximal ulna
elbow joint open and centered to CR
no rotation of humeral epicondyles
coronoid and olecranon fossae approximately equidistant to epicondyles
What should the part position be for a lateral elbow?
extremity in same plane with long axis parallel to IR
elbow flexed 90 degrees and placed in center IR
forearm resting on ulnar surface
wrist in true lateral
humeral epicondyles perpendicular to IR
What’s an acceptable angle of the elbow for a lateral elbow when there is a soft tissue injury?
30-35 degrees
where should the central ray be for a lateral elbow?
perpendicular to elbow joint
what should be in profile for a lateral elbow image?
the olecranon process
What should the part position be for a AP oblique elbow medial rotation?
Extremity in same plan with elbow extended
elbow centered to IR
medially rotate the upper extremity
humeral epicondyles 45 degrees from anatomic position
eval/structures: What should you see in the image if the 45 degree medial rotation is done properly?
the coronoid process should be in profile
elongated medial humeral epicondyle
ulna superimposed by the radial head and neck
Eval/structures: what happens to the olecranon process in an AP oblique elbow medial rotation?
the olecranon process appears within the olecranon fossa
Eval/structures: how should the elbow joint space appear in an AP oblique elbow medial rotation image?
open and centered to the central ray
What should the part position be like for an AP oblique elbow lateral rotation?
rotate hand laterally to place posterior surface of the elbow at a 45 degree angle
first and second digits will touch table when elbow is sufficiently rotated
eval/structures: how should the elbow joint appear in an AP oblique elbow lateral rotation position?
open and centered to the central ray
Eval/structures: how can you tell the elbow is in a 45 degree lateral rotation?
the radial head, neck, and tuberosity are projected free of the ulna
elongated lateral humeral epicondyle
