A technical review of the simplified approach to the ultrasonography of the elbow joint

The elbow joint is a complex joint which serves as a mechanical link between the hand, wrist and shoulder in the upper extremity. Soft-tissue structures and joints of the human body are often assessed by ultrasonography. It offers higher-resolution images and ease of access in resource-limited settings compared to magnetic resonance imaging. In this technical review, we have tried to simplify the approach to the ultrasonographical evaluation of the elbow anatomy. The elbow joint needs to be visualised in four compartments – anterior, posterior, medial and lateral. The structures to be seen, respectively, and the manner in which they are to be examined have been described here in detail.