Elbow instability
- Different tendons and ligaments hold the articulation together and maintain stability. After trauma, patients may feel that the elbow gives in or becomes unstable. This is also common in patients with olecranon impingement syndrome. Elbow instability causes a reduction in elbow control and loss of velocity, which can be very troublesome for athletes.
- Snapping sounds or sensation: When flexing or extending the articulation, there is sometimes a snapping sound or feeling. This is usually associated with a sense of instability or deformation of the articulation. In some cases, the snapping sound is simply a misplaced triceps tendon. Thus, doctors should evaluate this and other symptoms to ensure the diagnosis.
- Deformation: The elbow articulation can also become deformed, especially after trauma. However, in some cases, arthritis of the elbow would have similar symptoms. In some cases, deformation is not easily detected, and only a skilled doctor would be able to use his knowledge of human anatomy to detect an alteration.
- Inflammation: Patients will display the associated signs and symptoms when elbow pain has an inflammatory origin. They are local swelling, redness, and pain.
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