title: Traumatic instability of the elbow - anatomy, pathomechanisms and presentation on imaging.
abstract: Traumatic instability of the elbow is a common problem among patients presenting to emergency departments. As recurrent instability is more common than previously thought and the knowledge of the most frequent underlying causes increases, treatment of elbow instability is becoming increasingly sophisticated. Therefore, it is mandatory for the radiologist to be familiar with the important osseous and soft-tissue stabilisers of the elbow joint and to know the pathomechanisms that lead to a spectrum of joint instability. This article discusses the relevant anatomy in elbow stability with respect to imaging and function, states the mechanisms leading to elbow dislocation and displays the types of traumatic instability of the elbow on radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  • Expert imaging helps the management of traumatic instability of the elbow • The lateral ulnar collateral ligament is the cornerstone for elbow stability • Soft-tissue disruption is important in posterolateral rotatory instability • Identification of small coronoid process fragments is essential for optimal surgical therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Technische Universität München, Ismaninger Str.22, 81675, Munich, Germany. schaeffeler@me.com
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schaeffeler
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Waldt
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Woertler
mesh_terms: D001175:Arthrography / Q000379:methods; D017885:Collateral Ligaments / Q000503:physiopathology; D004550:Elbow / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012399:Rotation; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods