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ELBOW PAIN

Contents
  1. Read book excerpt
  2. Chronic pain: Introduction
  3. Chronic pain Misdiagnosis
  4. Chronic pain Causes
  5. Chronic pain Treatments
  6. News
  7. Diagnosis of Chronic pain
  8. Chronic pain Overview
  9. More book excerpts for Chronic pain

ELBOW PAIN: Excerpt from Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care

A painful elbow really does not require a detailed analysis of the anatomy to discover the various causes, almost all of which are bursal or bone and joint disorders. Of course, the skin may be involved by trauma and infection, just like the skin of the hands (see page 453). The arteries, veins, muscles, and nerves are rarely the cause of pain here.

The simplest and most expedient approach is to use the mnemonic MINT and apply it to the bones, joints, and bursae.

  1. M—Malformations are usually acquired, such as the Charcot joints of syphilis and syringomyelia. Bleeding into the joint in a hemophiliac is also classified here.
  2. I—Inflammation should signal bursitis, particularly radiohumeral (popularly called tennis elbow) and olecranon bursitis. One should also recall arthritis of the elbow joint, particularly rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and osteoarthritis. Surprisingly, rheumatic fever frequently affects the joint, and tuberculosis should be considered along with other forms of septic arthritis.
  3. N—Neoplasms are unusual but osteosarcomas and metastatic carcinomas nevertheless occur.
  4. T—Trauma suggests fractures, dislocations, and elbow sprains.


ELBOW PAIN

Approach to the Diagnosis

In the approach to the diagnosis, the traumatic conditions and arthritic disorders will probably stand out. A diagnostic dilemma occurs when the elbow looks normal and has good movement. Nevertheless, most of these cases are caused by tennis elbow, myositis, and fasciitis. Thus, a simple injection at the trigger point will assist the diagnosis and give the patient immediate and sometimes lasting relief. If this is unsuccessful, referral to an orthopedic surgeon is wise.

Other Useful Tests

  1. X-ray of the elbow (fracture)
  2. CT scan or MRI of the elbow
  3. Arthritis panel
  4. X-ray of cervical spine (herniated disc)
  5. Neurology consult

Book Source Details

  • Book Title: Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care
  • Author(s): R. Douglas Collins
  • Year of Publication: 2007
  • Copyright Details: Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care, Copyright © 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

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  • Hip Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
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  • Knee Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
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  • Neck Pain
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  • Chest pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
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  • Eye pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Flank pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Jaw pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Neck pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
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  • Arm pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
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  • Back pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
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  • Breast pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Chest pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Eye pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Facial pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Flank pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Jaw pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Leg pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Neck pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Rectal pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Throat pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Abdominal Pain
  • "The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics" (2006)
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  • Back Pain
  • "The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics" (2006)
  • [ read ]
  • Chest Pain
  • "The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics" (2006)
  • [ read ]
  • Arm pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Back pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Chest pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Flank pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Jaw pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Leg pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Neck pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • ARM PAIN
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • EYE PAIN
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • HIP PAIN
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
  • [ read ]
 

Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.



More About This Book:
Title: Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care
Authors: R. Douglas Collins
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Copyright: 2007
ISBN: 0-7817-6812-8

 » Next page: EPIGASTRIC PAIN (Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)

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