Elbow pain

Problem within the joint Arthritis - can be inflammatory ( rh arthritis ), post traumatic or primary osteoarthritis ( elbow degenerative joint disease )

Problem in surrounding soft tissue structures -Epicondyles : e,g tendinopathies medial & lateral Bursa ( e,g olecranon bursitis ) Nerves : radial , median and ulnar ( N entrapments , neuropathy )

Referred - neck for e,g cervical radiculopathy and cervical stenosis shoulder

Trauma -dislocation ( 2nd most common jt to dislocate after shoulder ) contusions , tendon ruptures ( e,g biceps strains and tears ) radial head subluxation ( in children - pulled elbow ) fractures ( frank and stress )

loose body unstable elbow osteonecrosis ( avascular necrosis )

Red flags -tender swollen joint ( injury , sepsis , gout ) h/o trauma ( dislocation , fracture ) past h/o cancer ( bony mets may develop in patients with h/o cancer particularly with prostate , breast , kidney , lung , thyroid , myeloma ) tumour ( deep intense pain , worse at night , mass , bony lump , lymphadenopathy , constitutional symptoms ) septic arthritis ( acute / subacute onset , risk factors + red , hot joint - fever may not...