Clinical Examination Of The Elbow 1 (Visit Resource)
Clinical Examination of the Elbow C. Dumontier Hôpital St-Antoine, 184 rue du faubourg St-Antoine, F-75012 Paris Institut de la Main, 6 square Jouvenet, F-75016 Paris The elbow complex is made up of three separate articulations, the humero-ulnar joint, the humeroradial (radiocapitellar) joint, and the superior radio-ulnar joint. These joints are covered by the same capsule. The elbow allows flexion and extension, as well as pronation and supination, and thus enables the hand to be placed in a variety of positions in space. Elbow flexion brings the hand to the chest, the mouth, or the face, thereby allowing the performance of most of the activities associated with feeding, dressing, and body care; elbow extension, on the other hand, takes the hand away from the body, and enables it to grasp objects. Elbow injuries are rare; however, they may be difficult to diagnose. This problem may be resolved to some extent or simplified by a full and systematic clinical examination. The joint is superficial, and hence readily accessible to clinical examination. As with other structures in the body, the examiner must be thoroughly familiar with the anatomy of the joint and with the abnormal conditions that may be encountered. This article deals with the broad principles of clinical examination, and will highlight only some of the disorders of the elbow.
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Added: Thu Apr 06 2006
