Elbow Joint

Question 1

Articulating surfaces

Answer 1

Trochlear notch of ulna and trochlear notch of humerus

Head of radius and capitulum of humerus

Question 2

Movements

Answer 2

Extension - triceps brachii, anconeus

Flexion - brachialis, biceps brachii, brachioradialis

Question 3

Stability

Answer 3

Capsule encloses the joint - strong and fibrous

Capsule thickened medially and laterally to form collateral ligaments -> stabilise flexion/extension

Question 4

Ligaments

Answer 4

Lateral (radial) colateral ligament - lateral epicondyle -> anular ligament of radius
Medial (ulna) colateral ligament - medial epicondyle -> coronoid process and olecranon of ulna

Question 5

Bursae

Answer 5

• Intratendinosus - within triceps brachii tendon
• Subtendinosus - between olecranon and tendon of triceps, reduces friction during flexion/extension
• Subcutaneous - between olecranon and overlying connective tissue

Question 6

Bursitis

Answer 6

• Subcutaneous - repeated friction cause inflammation, relatively superficial -> can also be infected also causing inflammation
• Subtendinosus - repeated flexion and extension of forearm, flexion usually more painful -> more pressure on bursa

Question 7

Dislocation

Answer 7

Young child falling on hand with flexed elbow
Distal end of humerus driven through weakest part of joint capsule (anterior)
Medial colateral torn, sometimes ulnar nerve damage
Mostly posterior (named by position of ulna not humerus)

Question 8

Epicondylitis

Answer 8

Tennis elbow or Golfer’s elbow
Most flexors/extensors in forearm have common tendonous origin
Flexor origin - medial epicondyle
Extensor origin - lateral epicondyle
Overuse of tendon results in pain/inflammation
Tennis - lateral epicondyle
Golfer - medial epicondyle

Question 9

Supraepicondylar fracture

Answer 9

Falling on flexed elbow
Transverse fracture - between epicondyles
Direct damage or swelling can cause interference to blood supply of forearm via brachial artery -> ischaemia -> Volkmann’s ischaemic contracture (uncontrolled flexion of hand as flexors become fibrotic and short)
Can also be damage to medial, ulnar or radial nerves