title: Inability to fully extend the injured elbow: an indicator of significant injury.
abstract: Elbow injuries are commonly seen in accident departments. Patients with possible bony injuries to the elbow were assessed to see if inability to fully extend the elbow was a good indicator of bony injury and hence the need for X-ray. The sensitivity of this test was 90.7% (95% confidence limits 80.7-100.7) and the specificity 69.5% (95% confidence limits 60.3-78.7). Use of this simple test would reduce both radiography costs and unnecessary exposure to radiation.
authors.affiliation: Accident & Emergency Department, St John's Hospital, Howden, West Lothian.
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Hawksworth
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Freeland
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D014218:Triage; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000092464:Elbow Injuries