How is the elbow designed and what is its function?

3. How is the elbow designed and what is its function? • The elbow is the joint where three long bones meet in the middle portion of the arm. • The bone of the upper arm (humerus) meets the inner bone of the forearm (ulna) and the outer bone of the forearm (radius) to form a hinge joint. • The radius and ulna also meet in the elbow to allow for rotation of the forearm. The elbow functions to move the arm like a hinge (forward and backward) and in rotation (twisting outward and inward).

9. Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) • The lateral epicondyle is the outside bony portion of the elbow where large tendons attach to the elbow from the muscles of the forearm. • These tendons can be injured, especially with repetitive motions of the forearm, such as using a manual screwdriver, washing windows, or hitting a backhand in tennis play. • Tennis elbow results with inflammation of the tendons causing pain over the outside of the elbow, occasionally with warmth and swelling, but always with local tenderness. • The elbow maintains its full range of motion, as the inner joint is not affected, and the pain can be particularly noticed toward the end of the day. • Repeated twisting motions or activities that strain the tendon typically elicit increased pain. • X-rays are usually normal, but can reveal calcium deposits in the tendon or reveal other unforeseen abnormalities of the elbow joint.

10. Tennis Elbow

11. Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) • The treatment of lateral epicondylitis includes ice packs, resting the involved elbow, and anti-inflammatory medications. • Anti-inflammatory medications • Bracing the elbow can help. • Simple braces for tennis elbow can be found in community pharmacies and athletic goods stores. • Local cortisone injections are given for persistent pain. • Activity involving the elbow is resumed gradually. Ice application after activity can reduce or prevent recurrent inflammation. • Occasionally, supportive straps can prevent reinjury. • In severe cases, an orthopedic surgical repair is performed.

12. Wrist/forearm cock up splint

13. Tennis Elbow

14. Extensor Origin Syndrome

15. What is it?

17. Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer's Elbow) • Medial epicondylitis is inflammation at the point where the tendons of the forearm attach to the bony prominence of the inner elbow. • As an example, this tendon can become strained in a golf swing, but many other repetitive motions can injure the tendon. • Golfer's elbow is characterized by local pain and tenderness over the inner elbow. • The range of motion of the elbow is preserved because the inner joint of the elbow is not affected. • Those activities which require twisting or straining the forearm tendon can elicit pain and worsen the condition. • X-rays for epicondylitis are usually normal but can indicate calcifications of the tendons if the tendinitis has persisted for extended periods of time.

18. Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer's Elbow) • The usual treatment involves ice packs, resting the elbow, and medications including aspirin and other NSAIDs. • Severe inflammation, local corticosteroid (cortisone injections are sometimes given. • Using a strap can prevent reinjury. • After a gradual rehabilitation exercise program, return to usual activity is best accompanied by ice applications after use.

20. Flexor and Extensor Origin Syndromes

21. Handshake with Elbow Extension

24. Olecranon bursitis • (inflammation of the bursa a the tip of the elbow) can occur from injury or minor trauma, as a result of systemic diseases such as gout or rheumatoid arthritis, or can be due to a local infection. • Olecranon bursitis is typically associated with swelling over the tip of the elbow, while range of motion of the inner elbow joint is maintained.

26. Olecranon bursitis

27. Sprain • A sprain is a stretch or tear injury to a ligament. • One or more ligaments can be injured during a sprain. • This might occur when the elbow is hyperextended or simply jammed, such as in a "stiffarm" collision. • The severity of the injury will depend on the extent of injury to a single ligament (whether the tear is partial or complete) and the number of ligaments involved. • Treatment involves rest, ice, immobilization, compression, and antiinflammation medications.

28. Who is this?

34. Ulnar Nerve Entrapment • The ulnar nerve is the "funny bone" nerve which travels between the tip of the elbow and the inner elbow bone. • At this site it can be "pinched" by normal structures or swollen structures after injury. • This pinching is referred to as entrapment. When ulnar nerve entrapment occurs, numbness and tingling of the little and ring finger of the hand may be felt. • Pain may occur in the entire forearm, usually the inner side. Hand dexterity can be affected.

35. Ulnar Nerve Entrapment • Sometimes, the numbness is reproduced by elevating the hand. Treatment consists of avoiding repeated trauma or pressure to the elbow area and resting the elbow joint. • Occasionally, ice can help. In severe cases, surgical repositioning of the ulnar nerve can be required. • This relocates the ulnar nerve to a position where it will not be continually compressed by the surrounding structures.