Imaging of the Elbow: Muscle and Tendon Injuries

ABSTRACT

Elbow injuries can be divided into lateral, medial, anterior, and posterior compartments. Each compartment has specific anatomical landmarks and muscle-tendon units that are injured in a specific location and pattern related to the mechanism of injury. Magnetic resonance imaging provides superior soft tissue visualization and assessment of these injuries. Muscle and tendon injuries that occur in each of the four compartments vary in accordance to their population and associated activities. These injuries range from tendinopathy to complete tears that may be a result of repetitive microtrauma, an acute traumatic event, or a combination of the two. Common pathomechanisms of these injuries are discussed including basic treatment options. The treatment options also vary in accordance to the compartment involved and the severity of the injury. The treatment options range from conservative measures such as observation with activity modification to operative measures including debridement and repair.

KEYWORDS

Elbow - epicondylitis - tendinopathy - tears - muscle

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