The Elbow Injury

Details of specific elbow injury will be discussed following a description of the elbow joint itself.

The Elbow is a hinge joint, like the knee. It basically has one plane of movement, known as flexion and extension. The joint is formed by the lower end of THE HUMERUS articulating with one of the bones of the forearm called THE ULNA.

Between the elbow and the wrist there are two joints known as THE PROXIMAL AND DISTAL RADIO-ULNAR JOINTS. The proximal one is just below the elbow and the distal one is just above the wrist. They are articulations between the two bones of the forearm, THE RADIUS AND THE ULNA. They allow rotation movements called PRONATION AND SUPINATION. These are the movements that allow you to turn your palm over.

It is worth noting that fractures near to the elbow can have severe effects on the movement of the joint. In addition there are a couple of commonly occurring soft tissue injuries worth discussing that arise from the elbow.

To find out more about a particular condition please click on the relevant link below.


Tennis Elbow Injury - Lateral Epicondylitis

Golfers' Elbow Injury - Medial Epicondylitis


Common Fractures Involving The Elbow


Fractures of the SHAFT of the HUMERUS (mid-upper arm)

Fractures of the EPICONDYLES of the HUMERUS

Fractures of the OLECRANON PROCESS. (The bony lump on the point of the elbow)

Fractures of the HEAD of the RADIUS. (The top of one of the forearm bones)