GENERAL COMPONENTS AND DIFFERENTIAL

DIAGNOSIS OF THE ELBOW

SKELETAL

Elbow Anatomy

Image retrieved from: http://healthfavo.com/elbow-joint-diagram.html

Radial Head Fracture

Mason Classification

Retrieved from: http://www.orthopaedicsone.com/display/Main/Fractures+of+the+radial+head++Mason+classification

Radial Head Fracture

Description
Mason classifications
Type 1: marginal or fissure fractures without

displacement
Type 2: marginal sector fractures with displacement
Type 3: comminuted fractures involving the whole
head
Type 4: any fracture of the radial head associated
with an elbow dislocation and does not quantify the
injury sustained by the radial head itself

Distal Humerus Fracture

Classification

Retrieved from: http://www.jaaos.org/content/18/1/20/F1

Distal Humerus Fracture

May be difficult to treat due to anatomic

complexity, multi-fragmentary
comminution/osteopenia, and a short
distal segment
Complex anatomy that articulates with both

the radius and ulna, allowing for motion in

multiple planes
Comminution/osteopenia: may leave the
metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction weak,
making adequate stabilization weak

Distal Humerus Fracture

Description
Classification:
Type I: extra-articular fracture
Type II: fracture extends into the articular surface
Type III: complete separation of the articular surface from

the shaft
Type IV: s severe comminution of the articular surface of
one or both condyles
A numerical 1-3 are given to types I-III to further classify the
degree of comminution
1 is least comminuted
3 is most comminuted

Olecranon Fracture

Mayo Classification

Retrieved from: http://clinicalgate.com/nonunion-of-the-olecranon-and-proximal-ulna/

Olecranon Fracture

Description
Mayo Classification based on displacement, stability, and
comminution:
Mayo Type IA and IB: Undisplaced (<2 mm) fractures with no

comminution (IA) or with comminution (IIB)

Mayo type IIA: Stable fractures with O3 mm displacement, no
comminution
Mayo type IIB: Stable fractures with O3 mm displacement;
comminution is present
Mayo type IIIA: Unstable, displaced fracturedislocations; no
comminution is present
Mayo type IIIB: Unstable, displaced fracturedislocations;
comminution is present

Osteoporosis

Retrieved from: https://www.emaze.com

Osteoporosis

Description
Compromisedbonedensity
Decreasedbonequality
Increasedriskforfracture

Coronoid Process
Fracture
Morrey Classification

Retrieved from: https://www.jaaos.org/content/14/5/278/F3.expansion

Coronoid Process
Fracture
ODriscoll Classification

Retrieved from: https://www.jaaos.org/content/17/3/137/F4.expansion

Coronoid Process
Fracture

Description
Morrey Classification
Type I: avulsion from the tip
Type II: single or comminuted fragment involving 50% of the

process or less
Type III: single or comminuted fragment involving more than 50%
of the process. This is suffixed with either an A or a B respectively
with regard t absence or presence of an associated elbow
dislocation

ODriscoll Classification
Type 1: transverse fractures of the tip of the coronoid process

and do not extend medially past the sublime tubercle or into the
body
Type 2: involve the anteromedial facet
Type 3: basal (at least 50% of the height) coronoid fractures

Acknowledgements

Presentation completed by:

David Funk, Student Physical Therapist at A.T. Still University
Ethan Hunke, Student Physical Therapist at A.T. Still University
Morgan Johnson, Student Physical Therapist at A.T. Still University
Ed Nheiu, Student Physical Therapist at A.T. Still University
Lindsay Walczak, Student Physical Therapist at A.T. Still University