Acute Osseous Injury of the Elbow and Forearm

Elbow and forearm fractures and dislocations are common injuries usually occurring as a result of indirect trauma. Conventional radiography is usually the imaging modality of first choice in the evaluation of elbow and forearm trauma, with CT scanning of value in depiction of subtle injuries not evident on radiographs, or in detailed evaluation of complex osseous injuries. MRI is of paramount importance in the evaluation of associated soft tissue injuries and may provide unique information in the setting of suspected chondral and osteochondral injuries, or occult fractures. Ultrasound can accurately depict acute fractures as areas of cortical offset following trauma, as well as hemarthroses associated with acute intra-articular injuries. The following chapter serves to review the imaging features, terminology, and classification systems employed in the imaging assessment and management of common osseous fracture and dislocation injuries involving the elbow and forearm.