Elbow

Question 1

What does the stability of the elbow joint depend on

Answer 1

the close fit of the total in the trochlear notch of the ulna

Question 2

How does a dislocated elbow occur

Answer 2

fall on the hand with the elbow partially flexed

Question 3

What are the clinical features of a dislocated elbow

Answer 3

swelling and held in a flexed position

Ulna is displaced backwards on the lower end of the humerus

Question 4

What is the treatment for an elbow dislocation

How is this achieved?

Answer 4

reduction with or without anaesthesia

Keep the elbow flexed and wrap fingers around the epicondyles from behind and push forward on the olecranon with thumbs

Question 5

What is the treatment for a fracture dislocation of the elbow

Answer 5

manipulative reduction or internal fixation may be necessary
radial head may need to be removed

Question 6

What is a serious complication of a supracondylar fracture of the humerus

Answer 6

sharp anterior margin may kink the brachial artery

Question 7

What is the treatment for a supracondylar fracture of the humerus

Answer 7

Manipulation under anaesthetic

collar and cuff sling

Question 8

What age is a fractured epicondyle common in

Answer 8

young children

Question 9

What are the clinical features of a radial head fracture

Answer 9

elbow is swollen and painful
local tenderness over the radial head
Pain on supination and pronation
restricted movements

Question 10

What is pulled elbow

Answer 10

An injury of young children who have been pulled forcibly by the arm
The radial head slips out of the annular ligament and is usually easily treated by simply rotating the elbow and allowing the radial head to click back into position

Question 11

What is the treatment for a fractured olecranon

Answer 11

open reduction and internal fixation using a long screw

In elderly, position may be accepted

Question 12

What is Tennis elbow

Answer 12

a condition that affects people who work involves a lot of gripping and twisting of the forearm such as car mechanics and bricklayers

Question 13

What are the clinical features of tennis elbow

Answer 13

chronic pain on the outer side of the elbow radiating down the outer border of the forearm especially when gripping
Tenderness localised over the front of the lateral epicondyle

Question 14

What exacerbates the pain of tennis elbow

Answer 14

extending the elbow and simultaneously pronating the forearm and flexing the wrist and fingers exacerbates the pain

Question 15

What is the treatment for Tennis Elbow

Answer 15

Rest and local hydrocortisone injections

Question 16

What is Golfer’s elbow

Answer 16

similar to tennis elbow but it affects the medial side with tenderness over the medial epicondyle and pain on hyper-extending the fingers and wrist

Question 17

Who does olecranon bursitis affect

Answer 17

people whose occupation involves leaning on the elbows

Question 18

What is the treatment for olecranon bursitis

Answer 18

Aspiration if necessary i.e. if the bursa is very tense

If pus is present, aspirate, drain and Antibiotics are required

Question 19

What is osteochondritis discerns

Answer 19

The bony fragment may separate from the capitulum or trochlea and become free as a loose body causing intermittent pain, locking and swelling

Question 20

The elbow is more commonly affected by what type of arthritis - OA or RA

Answer 20

RA

Question 21

What type of surgery may be required for RA in the elbow

Answer 21

Arthroscopic or open synovectomy

In more severe cases, total elbow replacement is the treatment of choice