Elbow Red Flags

Introduction

Red flag conditions to exclude:

• fractures,
• tumours,
• infections,
• inflammatory diseases, and
• visceral diseases.

Red flag conditions are rare in the elbow.

Recommendations

In a patient presenting with elbow pain,

Fractures should be considered

• in a history of major trauma
• minor trauma with a background of osteoporosis

Malignancy should be considered

• Palpable mass
• History of cancer or systemic features of cancer
• No other cause found or failure to improve

Infection should be considered

• Systemic features of infection
• Local features of infection
• Bone tenderness
• History of interventional procedures