ELBOW JOINT

Dr. Sharjeel Tasneem

BSPT,(KU)
MSPT,(KU)
ADPT,(Ziauddin University)
THE ELBOW JOINT 
is a synovial joint found in the upper limb between the
arm and the forearm. It is the point of articulation of
three bones: the humerus of the arm and the radius and
the ulna of the forearm. The elbow joint is classified
structurally as a synovial joint.
It is also classified structurally as a compound joint, as there are
two articulations in the joint

Humeroulnar joint(hinge joint) is the joint between the trochlea

on the medial aspect of the distal end of the humerus and the
trochlear notch on the proximal ulna.

Humeroradial joint(ball and socket joint) is the joint between the

capitulum on the lateral aspect of the distal end of the humerus
with the head of the radius
At the elbow joint, the proximal
ends of the radius and ulna
articulate with each other at
the proximal radioulnar joint. 
The proximal radioulnar joint is
functionally a pivot joint,
allowing a rotational movement
of the radius on the ulna e.g
pronation and supination
LIGAMENTS

The joint capsule of the elbow is strengthened by

ligaments medially and laterally.

The radial collateral ligament is found on the lateral

side of the joint, extending from the lateral
epicondyle, and blending with the annular ligament
of the radius (a ligament from the proximal radioulnar
joint).

The ulnar collateral ligament originates from

the medial epicondyle, and attaches to the
coronoid process and olecranon of the ulna.
THE ANNULAR LIGAMENT

It also reinforces the joint by holding the radius and

ulna together at their proximal articulation.
NEUROVASCULATURE
The arterial supply to the elbow joint is
from the cubital anastomosis, which
includes recurrent and collateral
branches from the brachial and deep
brachial arteries.
Its nerve supply is provided by
the median, musculocutaneous and radi
al nerves anteriorly, and the ulnar nerve
posteriorly.
Olecranon Bursa: Between the point of
the elbow and the skin,
there is a thin sac of fluid known
as a bursa. Bursas are
located near
 joints and cushion
your bones,
muscles, and tendons. Your 
elbow bursa
 helps your skin smoothly
slide over the olecranon bone
MOVEMENTS OF THE JOINT

The orientation of the bones forming the elbow joint

produces a hinge type synovial joint, which allows for
extension and flexion of the forearm:

Extension – triceps brachii and anconeus

Flexion – brachialis, biceps brachii, brachioradialis

Note – pronation and supination do not occur at the
elbow – they are produced at the nearby radioulnar
joint.
PATHOLOGIES OF ELBOW JOINT
The types of disease most commonly seen at the elbow
are due to injury

Tendonitis
Fractures
Dislocation
Infection
Arthritis
Bursitis
GOLFER'S ELBOW

Flexor tendinopathy, commonly referred to as

‘golfer’s elbow’ is the degeneration and
inflammation within the tendons on the inside
of the elbow. These tendons connect the
forearm muscles to the inside of the elbow and
move the wrist, hand and fingers.
Physiotherapy can successfully treat the
symptoms of golfer’s elbow.
CAUSES: Golfer’s elbow is caused
by overuse of the tendons on the inside of the
forearm. It is a common injury in activities that
require a lot of use of the wrist and hand.
Repetitive use of the forearm muscles and,
therefore, the forearm tendons can
cause microscopic tears within the tendons. To
repair this damage the body starts
an inflammatory response.
Symptoms:
In golfer’s elbow, pain is commonly felt
along the inside of the elbow and
forearm. This pain usually develops
gradually. At first it may only be painful
following exercise. You may also
experience stiffness or tightness in the
elbow and forearm region
 Additional symptoms of golfer’s elbow
include:
Reduced range of movement
Weakness
Spasm
Tingling / pins and needles
 PHYSIOTHERAPY TREATMENT

Electrotherapy
 Massage
 stretching
 strengthening exercises
Tennis Elbow
What is tennis elbow?

Tennis elbow (or extensor tendinopathy)

is inflammation within the tendons on
the outside of the elbow. These tendons
connect the forearm muscles to the arm
bone. These muscles move the wrist, hand
and fingers. Physiotherapy is an effective
treatment for tennis elbow
Causes:
Tennis elbow is a common injury often
caused by repetitive use of the wrist and
hand and, therefore, the tendons on the
outside of the forearm. These tendons
transmit forces produced by the forearm
muscles to their origin from the arm bone.
Repetitive use of the forearm muscles.
 
symptoms:
A gradual onset of pain is felt on the
outside of the elbow and forearm. Initially,
it may only be painful following use of the
wrist or hand. Stiffness or tightness in the
elbow and forearm region may also be
present.
Other symptoms may include:
reduced range of movement
swelling/inflammation
stiffness
weakness
numbness
spasm
Elbow (olecranon) bursitis, commonly
known as "baker's elbow," "student's
elbow," or "Popeye elbow," involves
swelling at the tip of the elbow, on the
back of the arm. The condition can be
painless, or it can be painful at rest and
when leaned on, as when writing with
the arm pressing on a table.
 MEDIAL COLLATERAL LIGAMENT
SPRAIN:
the medial collateral ligament may
be overstretched in a single incident
such as an
unnatural bending or twisting movement
of the elbow. It can also be caused
by continuous stretching of the
ligament over a period of time such as
performing overhead throwing activities.
If performed repeatedly over a period of
time, this can cause overstretching of
the ligament and, therefore,
inflammation and scarring within the
ligament will occur.
Hyperextension Injury

An elbow hyperextension injury is an injury

caused when the elbow is bent back the
wrong way. This causes damage to the
ligaments and structures on the front of the
elbow. Physiotherapy is an effective
treatment for elbow hyperextension injuries
 Ulnar nerve compression
occurs when the ulnar nerve is
compressed as it passes alongside the bony
bump on the inside of the elbow. This bony
bump is often referred to as the ‘funny
bone’. Ulnar nerve compression at the elbow
can be successfully treated by a
physiotherapy programm
A posterior dislocation
of the elbow joint is when a force is applied
to the bones that join to make
the elbow joint causing them to shift on one
another. When this happens the joint
surfaces are displaced and, therefore, are no
longer in contact. Posterior dislocation of the
elbow joint can be treated effectively by
physiotherapy programme.
Referred pain
is a term used to describe a sensation of pain
that is felt in a location other than the site of
an injury. Referred pain in the elbow is when
pain is felt in the elbow but the cause of the
pain is located elsewhere. Physiotherapy is a
successful treatment for referred pain in the
elbow