title: Procedure-oriented sectional anatomy of the elbow.
abstract: This is the second in a series of papers related to procedure-oriented joint anatomy. This article will review the anatomy of the elbow and its relationship to procedures in the clinical setting. Needle procedures of the elbow joint include medial and lateral epicondyle injections, olecranon bursa injection, elbow joint aspiration, phlebotomies in the antecubital fossa, and intramuscular injections such as trigger point and botulinum toxin injections. Complications related to these procedures include infection, skin atrophy, injuries to peripheral nerves, tendon rupture associated with the use of corticosteroids, iatrogenic vascular injuries, and chronic local pain. This article provides anatomically accurate schematics of the elbow anatomy relevant to needle procedures. Cross-sectional anatomical schematics of the elbow were drawn as they appear on axial and coronal projections. Superficial and deep landmarks are highlighted as well as sources of potential complications. These schematics allow for safer and more accurate needle procedures in the elbow area, for both nonguided and musculoskeletal ultrasound-guided techniques.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, Center for Trauma Rehabilitation Research, Quentin Mease Hospital, Harris County Hospital District, Houston, TX, USA. oas@bcm.edu
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.forename: John S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Harrell
authors.forename: Faye Y
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Chiou-Tan
authors.forename: Han
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Katherine H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Taber
mesh_terms: D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional