The Elbow

Severe pain immediately after an injury in combination with a capsular pattern and a spastic endfeel.

Traumatic haemarthrosis is characterized by a direct swelling, pain at rest and nocturnal pain.

A fracture of the head of the radius or a fracture of the olecranon must always be excluded.

An invaluable radiographic sign in case of development of acute intra-articular fluid is the
so-called fat pad sign.

Haemarthrosis may develop spontaneously in the elderly and in haemophylia.

Treatment consists of immediate aspiration of blood and search for the underlying cause.