Elbow glossary
Lexical landmarks to better understand elbow conditions and care.
This general information does not replace a diagnosis or advice from a healthcare professional.
Elbow glossary
- Olecranon Fracture — Fracture of the elbow tip caused by direct impact or triceps traction, often requiring tension band wiring or plate fixation. Restoring active extension is the primary rehabilitation goal.
- Radial Head Fracture — Most common elbow fracture in adults (33%), occurring after a fall on an outstretched hand. Forearm rotation recovery is the main rehabilitation challenge. Mason-Johnston classification with 4 types.
- Distal Humerus Fracture (Humeral Palette) — Severe articular fracture of the distal humerus, with bimodal distribution (young/high-energy trauma, elderly/osteoporosis). Major risk of elbow stiffness requiring early and intensive rehabilitation.
- Coronoid Process Fracture — Key fracture for elbow stability, often associated with dislocation or the terrible triad. The coronoid process forms the anterior buttress of the ulna, essential for preventing posterior subluxation. Regan-Morrey classification with 3 types.
- Elbow Dislocation — Second most common dislocation in adults after the shoulder. Posterolateral direction accounts for 90% of cases. Distinguishing simple (without fracture) from complex (with associated fracture) dislocation is essential for treatment and rehabilitation guidance.
- Terrible Triad of the Elbow — Severe injury pattern combining elbow dislocation, radial head fracture and coronoid process fracture. Systematic surgical treatment. Guarded prognosis with prolonged rehabilitation of 6 to 12 months.
- Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) — Most common tendinopathy of the upper limb, affecting the wrist extensor insertion on the lateral epicondyle, mainly the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB). Prevalence of 1-3%. Eccentric strengthening (Tyler protocol) and shockwave therapy are the reference treatments.
- Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer's Elbow) — Medial epicondylitis affecting the flexor-pronator muscle insertion on the medial epicondyle. Less common than lateral epicondylitis (ratio 1:4 to 1:7). Frequent association with ulnar neuropathy at the elbow in 50% of cases.
- Distal Biceps Tendinopathy / Rupture — Condition mainly affecting men aged 30-60, occurring through sudden eccentric mechanism (heavy load with elbow flexed at 90°). Complete rupture causes 40% loss of supination strength and 30% of flexion, requiring surgical reinsertion within 2-3 weeks.
- Distal Triceps Tendinopathy / Rupture — Rare condition representing less than 1% of tendon ruptures. Occurs mainly in weightlifters and during fall landings. Loss of active extension against resistance is the cardinal clinical sign. Complete rupture requires urgent surgical reinsertion.
- Medial Collateral Ligament Injury (UCL) — Injury of the elbow medial collateral ligament (UCL), common in throwers and overhead athletes, causing valgus instability. Conway-Jobe classification with 3 grades from simple sprain to complete rupture requiring Tommy John surgical reconstruction.
- Posterolateral Rotatory Instability (PLRI) — Most common cause of chronic elbow instability, related to insufficiency of the lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL). Often sequel of elbow dislocation or lateral surgery. O'Driscoll classification with 3 stages of increasing severity.
- Cubital Tunnel Syndrome — Second most common peripheral nerve compression after carpal tunnel syndrome. The ulnar nerve is compressed or stretched in the cubital tunnel behind the medial epicondyle. Paresthesias in the 4th and 5th fingers, intrinsic hand muscle weakness. McGowan-Dellon classification in 3 grades.
- Posterior Interosseous Nerve Syndrome (PIN) — Compression of the deep branch of the radial nerve (posterior interosseous nerve) in the radial tunnel, mainly at the Fröhse arcade. Causes purely motor weakness in finger and wrist extension without sensory deficit. Distinguished from lateral epicondylitis and resistant tennis elbow.
- Pronator Teres Syndrome — Compression of the median nerve in the proximal forearm, between the two heads of the pronator teres. Differs from carpal tunnel syndrome by forearm pain and absence of nocturnal worsening. Aching forearm pain with sensory changes in the median nerve distribution.
- Elbow Osteoarthritis — Degenerative joint disease of the elbow, less common than hip or knee arthritis. Mainly affects manual workers and overhead athletes. Morrey classification based on range of motion loss. Osteophyte formation in the olecranon and coronoid fossae causing mechanical impingement.
- Post-Traumatic Elbow Stiffness — Loss of elbow range of motion following trauma or surgery, the most common complication of elbow injuries. Morrey classification into 3 types: extrinsic (capsular), intrinsic (articular) and mixed. The elbow is the most stiffness-prone joint due to its thick capsule.
- Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Capitellum (OCD) — Necrosis and fragmentation of the cartilage and subchondral bone of the humeral capitellum, affecting young athletes aged 12-16 (gymnasts, throwers, tennis players). Due to repetitive compression overload of the lateral compartment. ICRS/Nelson classification with 4 stages.
- Heterotopic Ossification of the Elbow — Pathological formation of ectopic bone in periarticular soft tissues of the elbow, a dreaded complication of elbow trauma and surgery. Major risk factors: associated head injury, surgical delay > 48h, repeated surgery. Hastings-Graham classification based on functional impact.
- Intra-articular Loose Bodies of the Elbow — Osteochondral or cartilaginous fragments free within the elbow joint, causing mechanical locking, catching and intermittent swelling. Main causes: osteoarthritis, osteochondritis dissecans, osteochondral fracture and synovial chondromatosis. Arthroscopic extraction.
- Olecranon Bursitis — Inflammation of the retro-olecranon bursa presenting as posterior elbow swelling, fluctuant and well-circumscribed. Three main etiologies: traumatic/mechanical (repetitive microtrauma), inflammatory (gout, RA) and septic (medical emergency). Aspiration with fluid analysis is diagnostic.