Elbow joint effusion

Case contributed by Jeremy Jones
Diagnosis certain
x-ray

Large elbow joint effusion with raised anterior and posterior fat pads. Likely underlying intra-articular fracture.

x-ray

Lucency projected across the radial neck. Possible fracture.

Case Discussion

Large joint effusion following trauma in children in their mid-teens are likely to be the result of proximal radial fractures rather than supracondylar fracture. Supracondylar fractures are much more common in younger pre-teenage children. 

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