Elbow

RefHelp - NHS Ayrshire and Arran
NHS Ayrshire and Arran

Serious/specific shoulder & elbow pathologies

  • Osteosarcoma
  • Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)/ Giant cell Arteritis
  • Acute rotator cuff tear
  • Loosening/ infection: shoulder arthroplasty
  • Acute nerve palsy (axillary/ long thoracic nerve)
  • Avascular necrosis humeral head (AVN)
  • DVT (upper limb)

Special questions:-

  • PMH Malignancy:- (breast/ lung/ prostrate/ thyroid/ kidney)
  • Trauma/pain/weakness
  • Mass/ swelling/ loss of movement of joint active and passive
  • Red skin/ fever/ systemically unwell
  • Epileptic fit/ electric shock.

Elbow pathway

Cubital tunnel syndrome (CBTS)

Elbow osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Post traumatic arthritis

Lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET - tennis elbow)

Medial elbow tendinopathy (MET - golfers elbow)

Olecranon bursitis

Editorial Information

Next review date: 01/10/2027

Author(s): Reid J.

Version: 01.0

Reviewer name(s): Reid J, Tanagho A.