Drop sign
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Feger J, Bell D, Knipe H, Drop sign. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 28 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-77404
rID:
77404
Article created:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Joachim Feger had no recorded disclosures.
View Joachim Feger's current disclosures
Last revised:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Joachim Feger had no recorded disclosures.
View Joachim Feger's current disclosures
Revisions:
7 times, by
3 contributors -
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Synonyms:
- Drop sign - elbow
The drop sign is referred to as an increased ulnohumeral distance (≥4 mm) on a lateral radiograph of the elbow after reduction of elbow dislocation and indicates instability 1-4.
History and etymology
The drop sign was first described in 2005 by Ralph W Coonrad (fl. 2020), an orthopedic surgeon at Duke University in North Carolina, USA 1.
References
- 1. Coonrad R, Roush T, Major N, Basamania C. The Drop Sign, a Radiographic Warning Sign of Elbow Instability. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. 2005;14(3):312-7. doi:10.1016/j.jse.2004.09.002 - Pubmed
- 2. Schaeffeler C, Waldt S, Woertler K. Traumatic Instability of the Elbow - Anatomy, Pathomechanisms and Presentation on Imaging. Eur Radiol. 2013;23(9):2582-93. doi:10.1007/s00330-013-2855-5 - Pubmed
- 3. Karbach L & Elfar J. Elbow Instability: Anatomy, Biomechanics, Diagnostic Maneuvers, and Testing. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 2017;42(2):118-26. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2016.11.025 - Pubmed
- 4. Hackl M, Leschinger T, Müller L, Wegmann K. Chronische Bandinstabilitäten Des Ellenbogengelenks. Orthopäde. 2016;45(10):809-21. doi:10.1007/s00132-016-3324-z - Pubmed
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