Intra-articular analgesia of the elbow joint

Abstract

be used to medicate the elbow joint with, for example, intra-articular corticosteroids and hyaluronan. ANATOMY The elbow joint is formed between the distal humerus and proximal aspects of the radius and ulna. The eccentrically placed collateral ligaments along with the concentric articulation between the trochlea and trochlear notch restrict movement to the sagittal plane1.The olecranon extends proximally a considerable distance above the elbow joint itself. The cranial joint pouch of the elbow extends from the supracondylar fossa of the humerus to the proximal radius. The caudal joint pouch extends caudal to the humeral condyle thinning as it extends proximal to the olecranon process. The ulnaris lateralis bursa forms a synovial space between the ulnaris lateralis muscle and the lateral coronoid process of the ulna. The ulnaris lateralis bursa has been shown to communicate with the elbow joint in 47.5% of joints in a cadaver study2 in which 40 joints were injected with methyl methacrylate. Therefore the approach to the caudal joint pouch through this bursa is not recommended.