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When you finish this chapter you should be able to
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Recall the structural and functional anatomy of the elbow, and relate it to overuse and traumatic injuries.
Explain the process for assessing the injured elbow.
Demonstrate proper immediate and follow-up management of elbow injuries.
Devise appropriate rehabilitation techniques that can be used following injury to the elbow.
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Visit http://connect.mcgraw-hill.com for further exercises to apply your knowledge:
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Clinical application scenarios covering assessment and recognition of elbow injuries, etiology, symptoms and signs, management of elbow injuries, and rehabilitation for the elbow
Click-and-drag questions covering structural anatomy of the elbow, assessment of elbow injuries, and rehabilitation plan of the elbow
Multiple-choice questions covering anatomy, assessment, etiology, and management and rehabilitation of elbow injuries
Selection questions covering rehabilitation plan for various injuries to the elbow
Video identification of special tests for the elbow injuries, rehabilitation techniques for the elbow, and taping and wrapping for elbow injuries
Picture identification of major anatomical components of the elbow, rehabilitation techniques of the elbow, and therapeutic modalities for management
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ANATOMY OF THE ELBOW JOINT
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The elbow joint is composed of three bones: the humerus, the radius, and the ulna (Figure 23–1). The distal end of the humerus forms two articulating condyles. The lateral condyle is the capitulum, and the medial condyle is the trochlea. The convex capitulum articulates with the concave head of the radius. The trochlea, which is spool-shaped, fits into an articulating groove, the semilunar notch, which is provided by the ulna between the olecranon and coronoid processes. Above each condyle is a projection called the epicondyle. The structural design of the elbow joint permits flexion and extension through the articulation of the trochlea with the trochlear notch of the ulna. Forearm pronation and supination are made possible because the head of the radius rotates against the capitulum freely without any bone limitations.20
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The elbow complex consists of three separate joints: the humeroulnar joint, the humeroradial joint, and the proximal radioulnar joint (Figure 23–2). The humeroulnar joint is the articulation between the distal humerus medially and the proximal ulna. When the elbow is in flexion, the ulna slides forward until the coronoid process of the ulna stops in the floor of the coronoid fossa of the humerus. In extension, the ulna slides backward until the olecranon process of the ulna makes contact with the olecranon fossa of the humerus posteriorly. The humeroradial joint is the articulation of the lateral distal humerus and the capitulum. ...