Passive accessory movement at the elbow: a roentgenographic analysis

Longitudinal movement of the radius, in relation to the ulna, occurring during abduction and adduction of the elbow, and during radial and ulnar deviation of the wrist, was examined roet-genographically on five students. A fixation device was designed to stabilize the humerus while the passive movements were carried out, and all measurements were done with the arm in 0° extension. The average movement from full adduction to full abduction was 10.4° and, at the same time, the radius moved an average of 1.6 mm distally in relation to the ulna. When the wrist was moved from full radial deviation to full ulnar deviation the radius moved an average of 0.1 mm in relation to the ulna. The importance of assessing passive accessory movements at the elbow in the examination and treatment of elbow lesions is discussed.