eMedicine Specialties > Radiology > Musculoskeletal

Elbow, Fractures and Dislocations - Adult: Follow-up

Author: Ricardo Riego de Dios, MD, Staff Physician, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Naval Hospital Jacksonville, Naval Air Station
Coauthor(s): Burl Norris, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Radiology, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: May 1, 2009

Intervention

See the discussions for the various fractures in Radiograph .

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • The following pearls should help to limit the number of missed cases:
    • On plain radiographs, look for the presence of the fat pad sign. A posterior fat pad sign is always an abnormal finding, and underlying bony or ligamentous injury should be investigated.
    • The radial head–capitellar view is a useful adjunct in assessing fractures in the posterior half of the radial head, coronoid process, and capitellum.
    • Look for associated fractures on postreduction radiographs of elbow dislocations. Missed coronoid process fractures may lead to recurrent subluxation or dislocation.
    • In each case of an ulnar fracture, look for associated radial head dislocations (ie, Monteggia fracture-dislocations). Conversely, in cases of radial dislocations, look for an associated ulnar fracture.
    • A painful posttraumatic elbow with negative plain radiographic findings warrants conservative treatment; follow-up radiographs, including repeat radial head–capitellar views, should be obtained in 7-10 days.
 


More on Elbow, Fractures and Dislocations - Adult

Overview: Elbow, Fractures and Dislocations - Adult
Imaging: Elbow, Fractures and Dislocations - Adult
Follow-up: Elbow, Fractures and Dislocations - Adult
Multimedia: Elbow, Fractures and Dislocations - Adult
References
Further Reading
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References

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Further Reading

Related eMedicine topics
Arthrocentesis, Elbow

Joint Reduction, Elbow Dislocation, Posterior

Elbow Trauma, Pediatric

Elbow, MRI

Elbow Dislocation

Medial Condylar Fracture of the Elbow

Clinical guidelines

Evidence-based care guideline for loss of elbow motion following surgery or trauma in children aged 4 to 18. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center - Hospital/Medical Center.  2007 Dec.  9 pages.  NGC:006291

Elbow (acute & chronic). Work Loss Data Institute - Public For Profit Organization.  2003 (revised 2008 May 28).  161 pages.  NGC:006555

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® chronic elbow pain. American College of Radiology - Medical Specialty Society.  1998 (revised 2005).  5 pages. [NGC Update Pending] NGC:004605

Clinical trials

Progressive Splinting Status Post Elbow Fractures and Dislocations

Treatment of Stable Both-Bone Midshaft Forearm Fractures in Children

Effect of Occupational Therapy on the Function and Mobility of Elbow Fractures

Discovery Elbow Multi-Center Prospective Study

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Keywords

humerus fractures, distal humeral fractures, radial fractures, ulnar fractures, forearm trauma, neurovascular injuries, Monteggia fracture-dislocation, simple elbow dislocation, complex elbow dislocation, fall on an outstretched hand, FOOSH

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Ricardo Riego de Dios, MD, Staff Physician, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Naval Hospital Jacksonville, Naval Air Station
Ricardo Riego de Dios, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Radiology, American Roentgen Ray Society, Phi Beta Kappa, and Radiological Society of North America
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Burl Norris, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Radiology, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Michael A Bruno, MD, Associate Professor, Departments of Radiology and Medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine; Director, Radiology Quality Management Services, Milton S Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
Michael A Bruno, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Radiology, American Roentgen Ray Society, Association of University Radiologists, Radiological Society of North America, Society of Nuclear Medicine, and Society of Skeletal Radiology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Bernard D Coombs, MB, ChB, PhD, Consulting Staff, Department of Specialist Rehabilitation Services, Hutt Valley District Health Board, New Zealand
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Theodore E Keats, MD, Professor, Departments of Radiology and Orthopedics, University of Virginia School of Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Robert M Krasny, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Radiology, Resolution Imaging Medical Corporation
Robert M Krasny, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Roentgen Ray Society and Radiological Society of North America
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Felix S Chew, MD, MBA, EdM, Professor, Department of Radiology, Vice Chairman for Radiology Informatics, Section Head of Musculoskeletal Radiology, University of Washington
Felix S Chew, MD, MBA, EdM is a member of the following medical societies: American Roentgen Ray Society, Association of University Radiologists, and Radiological Society of North America
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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