elbow

Question 1

What is the elbow joint comprised of?

Answer 1

distal humerus, proximal radius and ulna

is surrounded by a fibrous capsule

Question 2

What part of the distal humerus articulates with the trochlear notch of the ulna?

Answer 2

trochlea
anterior/medial projection

Question 3

What part of the distal humerus does the radial head articulate with?

Answer 3

capitulum
lateral projection

Question 4

What is the coronoid fossa for and what is it above?

Answer 4

small depression above the trochlea for the coronoid process of the ulna to fit

Question 5

what is the olecranon fossa and where is it?

Answer 5

large depression for the olecranon on the posterior surface of the distal humerus

Question 6

What part of the proximal ulna articulates with the olecranon fossa?

Answer 6

olecranon process, hook shaped projection

Question 7

What does the radial notch of the ulna articulate with and when?

Answer 7

with the radial head when the patient is supinating or pronating the forearm

Question 8

What is the attachment site for the distal biceps?

Answer 8

radial tuberosity (on the medial radius)

Question 9

What is the anterior elbow also called?

Answer 9

antecubital fossa/crease

Question 10

Where does the median nerve run in the elbow joint?

Answer 10

medial to the brachial artery and biceps tendon

Question 11

how should you scan the distal biceps insertion in LAX?

Answer 11

with the arm hyper-supinated

Question 12

What area of the elbow is commonly scanned for joint effusions?
(anterior elbow)

Answer 12

radial and coronoid fossa

Question 13

Where are anterior fat pads found in the elbow joint?
what is the function?

Answer 13

at the bottom of both the radial and coronoid fossas
it cushions the bones and protects against hyper extension

Question 14

What can you see when excessive fluid is present in the joint recess?

Answer 14

anterior fat pad will be elevated, creates the sail sign on XR

Question 15

What is the medial elbow responsible for?

Answer 15

flexing the elbow

flexors run through the medial elbow and down to the palmar side of the hand

Question 16

What is the common flexor tendon comprised of and where do they attach?

Answer 16

pronator teres
flexor digitorum
flexor carpi radialis
- attach on the medial epicondyle

(is a dynamic stabilizer of the elbow)

Question 17

What is the UCL comprised of? (3 pieces)

Answer 17

anterior bundle: largest and most important**
posterior bundle
transverse bundle (or Coopers ligament)

Question 18

What is valgus stress and what ligament of the elbow protects against it?

Answer 18

valgus stress is when you hold your arm stable and pulling it laterally - problems are seen when it is painful

UCL

Question 19

Where is the most common location for ulnar nerve entrapment and what is it called?

Answer 19

elbow joint is most common place, called cubital tunnel syndrome

Question 20

Where does the ulnar nerve run?

Answer 20

runs under and around the medial epicondyle of the humerus

Question 21

What forms the roof of the cubital tunnel?

(what is the name of the retinaculum)

Answer 21

Osborne ligament

Question 22

What is the primary function of the triceps tendon?
are tears of the triceps common or rare?

Answer 22

extension of the elbow, composed of 3 muscle bellies that come together in a common insertion

rare

Question 23

what is the lateral elbow responsible for?

Answer 23

extension of the elbow

Question 24

What does the common extensor tendon attach?

Answer 24

the forearm extensor muscles to the lateral epicondyle of the humerus

Question 25

What are the group of muscles that make up the common extensor tendon?

Answer 25

extensor digitorum extensor digit minimi extensor carpi ulnaris extensor carpi radialis

Question 26

what is the most common tendon affected in lateral epicondylitis?

Answer 26

extensor carpi radialis

Question 27

What ligament connects the radius to the ulna in the radiocapitular joint?

Answer 27

annular ligament holds radius against the ulna

Question 28

What is affected with medial epicondylitis? what is it caused by?

Answer 28

common flexor tendon caused by excess or repeated stress

Question 29

which tendons are commonly affected by medial epicondylitis?

Answer 29

superficial flexor tendon and pronator teres at the insertion to medial epicondyle

Question 30

What is most commonly affected in common extensor tendinopathy? (what tendon) what is it caused by

Answer 30

extensor carpi radialis brevis repetitive supination of wrist or arm

Question 31

What pathology is uncommon with the biceps tendon but happens due to weight lifting?

Answer 31

rupture of the biceps tendon is a popping sensation, painful and palpable with muscle retraction

Question 32

how does a partial thickness tear of the distal biceps tendon appear?

Answer 32

thick, wavy and echogenic where it is still attached

Question 33

What is the measurement that demonstrates UCL injury/disruption?

Answer 33

>.5mm of the humeral-ulnar joint when opening under valgus stress

Question 34

What is olecranon bursitis composed of?

Answer 34

increased fluid in the bursa and edema in the surrounding tissue

Question 35

What causes olecranon bursitis?

Answer 35

trauma, autoimmune, gout, rh arthritis, pressure or infection

Question 36

What usually causes a triceps tendon rupture? what can it cause in the cubital tunnel?

Answer 36

FOOSH injuries ulnar nerve compression due to excess fluid pressure

Question 37

the elbow is the second most common site for what?

Answer 37

loose bodies - can accumulate in presence of degenerative path and trauma - migrate to the olecranon fossa

Question 38

What can compress the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel?

Answer 38

thickened Osborne's ligament/retinaculum ganglion cyst bony spur fluid effusions

Question 39

What are the symptoms of ulnar nerve compression?

Answer 39

medial elbow pain and sensory loss in the 4th and 5th fingers

Question 40

What pathology of the ulnar nerve occurs in 20% of normal elbows?

Answer 40

medial dislocation of the nerve repeated friction can cause neuritis