[Differential diagnosis of distortion of the elbow joint]

Distortion of the elbow joint often means a vague diagnosis describing a traumatized joint with no radiological changes, or it means a transient diagnosis until sophisticated examinations can demonstrate what the injury really is. In adults there are only a few injuries that cannot be shown by radiography. In children, however, radiography of the elbow joint is more difficult due to the inhomogeneity during growth. Contrary to adults, fractures misdiagnosed in radiography often result in significant reduction of joint function.