The elbow joint is a type of synovial hinge joint which contains a small amount of lubricating fluid. There are several bones comprised of the elbow joint, and the bones include the humerus in the upper arm, the ulna and the radius in the forearm. Hence, these are called the humeroulnar and humeroradial articulations. These articulations provide movements such as flexion, extension, supination, and pronation of the elbow with various range of motions (ROMs). These ROMs allow us to have various activities throughout the day such as shaking hands, opening a doorknob, turning a wet towel, or starting your car ignition with turning a key, etc. Some of the important bony landmarks include the capitulum of the humerus, the trochlear notch of the ulna and the head of the radius.
The elbow joint is very stable and is stabilized by the thick articular structures and reinforced by strong ligaments. Despite the stability and strength of the capsule and ligaments, the elbow joint can be injured or damaged by several factors. These factors include repetitive stresses and/ or sudden impacts. One of the common injuries to the elbow is the lateral epicondylitis (or tennis elbow). According to @MerckManual, the tennis elbow is an "inflammation of the tendons that extend the hand backward and away from the palm. The #pain develops in the outer aspect of the elbow and backside of the forearm." A person may feel sore and pain in the muscles that are attached to the lateral or outer part of the elbow (a bony landmark called lateral epicondyle of the humerus). In the initial stage, the pain symptoms may go away within a day or two. As time progresses, it may take longer for the pain to go away. The pain may further progress with any type of movement and may spread to the hand, palm, and other parts of the arm, shoulder and/ or neck...(to be continued)
The elbow joint is very stable and is stabilized by the thick articular structures and reinforced by strong ligaments. Despite the stability and strength of the capsule and ligaments, the elbow joint can be injured or damaged by several factors. These factors include repetitive stresses and/ or sudden impacts. One of the common injuries to the elbow is the lateral epicondylitis (or tennis elbow). According to @MerckManual, the tennis elbow is an "inflammation of the tendons that extend the hand backward and away from the palm. The #pain develops in the outer aspect of the elbow and backside of the forearm." A person may feel sore and pain in the muscles that are attached to the lateral or outer part of the elbow (a bony landmark called lateral epicondyle of the humerus). In the initial stage, the pain symptoms may go away within a day or two. As time progresses, it may take longer for the pain to go away. The pain may further progress with any type of movement and may spread to the hand, palm, and other parts of the arm, shoulder and/ or neck...(to be continued)