Elbow Imaging: Difference between revisions
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*Immediate loss of elbow function | *Immediate loss of elbow function | ||
*Marked soft tissue swelling / contusion | *Marked soft tissue swelling / contusion | ||
*Bony tenderness | *Bony tenderness with no other diagnosis, as a screen for intra-osseous pathology | ||
*Compression of the joint reproduces pain – as a screen for intra-articular pathology | |||
*Instability shown on examination (varus / valgus aligned stress testing) | *Instability shown on examination (varus / valgus aligned stress testing) | ||
*Risk factors for osteoporosis or pathological fractures (Paget’s) | *Risk factors for osteoporosis or pathological fractures (Paget’s) | ||
*In the presence of abnormal movements of the elbow (instability / locking | *In the presence of abnormal movements of the elbow (instability / locking) | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
[[Category:Elbow & Forearm]] | [[Category:Elbow & Forearm]] | ||
Revision as of 08:10, 21 June 2020
Xrays are done predominantly for fractures and other red flag conditions, and are not helpful for conditions such as tendinopathies.
Rules for imaging in the trauma setting
- Significant force applied to the elbow
- Immediate loss of elbow function
- Marked soft tissue swelling / contusion
- Bony tenderness with no other diagnosis, as a screen for intra-osseous pathology
- Compression of the joint reproduces pain – as a screen for intra-articular pathology
- Instability shown on examination (varus / valgus aligned stress testing)
- Risk factors for osteoporosis or pathological fractures (Paget’s)
- In the presence of abnormal movements of the elbow (instability / locking)
