The Elbow

When elbow and forearm function are compromised by pain, injury, or loss of motion, significant disability can result. The goals of this chapter are to present the elbow’s functional anatomy, describe how to clinically evaluate this region, and an approach to diagnosis and treatment of common elbow problems. We discuss presentations of elbow pathology encountered in outpatient clinic, chronic atraumatic settings, while incorporating management principles and sequelae of acute traumatic injury, with a general focus on adult and adolescent patient populations. An in-depth review of pediatric elbow anatomy, injuries, and treatment is out of the scope of this text.