An elbow scan is a radiology exam that provides doctors the insight to see damage or issues affecting the elbow. You may need an elbow scan if you have experienced:

• Increasing elbow pain without explanation.
• Sudden numbness or tingling in the forearm.
• Injury or blunt force trauma.
• Cracking or popping sounds when extending the elbow.

If you already have a history of elbow issues, a scan can be a preventive way to monitor the elbow's condition over time. A scan can also help doctors assess how an injury is healing.

An elbow scan will look at the various structures within the elbow joint. These images can show:

• Bones
• Cartilage
• Ligaments and tendons
• Blood vessels
• Muscles
• Nerves

Your physician will use these images to determine if any damage or abnormalities in your elbow are causing your pain.

An elbow scan can detect common injuries such as:

• Fractures
• Ligament tears
• Cartilage degeneration
• Pinched nerves
• Inflammation
• Dislocation

Elbow pain is typically caused by one of two things: injury or repetitive movement.

1. Injury. The elbow joint is resilient, but that doesn’t mean it’s invulnerable to injury. Any degree of fracture to the humerus, ulna, or radius–the bones that make up the elbow joint–will affect the function of the elbow. The elbow is also prone to hyperextension if enough force is applied. This can cause minor fractures or bone chips that can cause pain.
2. Repetitive movement. Repetitive movement causes a specific type of injury known as overuse. Overuse injuries of the elbow can cause nerves that run along the elbow to become compressed. This type of injury commonly causes the pain associated with tennis elbow. As the nerve rubs against the bony protrusion, it can become inflamed or compressed. Overuse injuries often affect athletes or people who have jobs performing repetitive tasks.

Several conditions could be causing or contributing to your elbow pain:

• Bursitis (joint inflammation)
• Bone fracture
• Tendonitis
• Tennis elbow
• Arthritis
• Sprains

Some diagnoses can be corrected through mild physical therapy, while others need a more robust treatment plan.

There are a few different scan options available when your doctor is trying to diagnose the condition causing your elbow pain.

An elbow MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is similar to a CT scan, but instead of using X-rays, it uses radio waves and a magnetic field to generate pictures of the elbow. An elbow MRI will take longer since it produces more detailed images of the soft tissues surrounding the elbow than a CT.

An MRI can be used to diagnose:

• Broken bones
• Inflammation
• Pinched or compressed nerves
• Ligament tears

An elbow X-ray uses ionizing radiation to take an image of the bones and soft tissue in the elbow. Strong visibility all the way around the bones and tissues makes X-rays great for diagnosing breaks and fractures. They can even detect tiny shards of bone that could be lodged in soft tissues in the case of a severe fracture.

X-rays produce quick results and make excellent diagnostic instruments for doctors treating injured elbows.

An elbow scan can cost up to $4,000. However, the price can vary depending on:

• The type of scan being performed
• Insurance coverage
• Your copay
• Your insurance network status
• Scanning location

The length of an elbow scan depends on the type of scan you’re getting. X-rays and CT scans take the least time–about 20 to 30 minutes. MRIs and ultrasounds take closer to 30 or 45 minutes.

An elbow scan can be essential for identifying a problem or keeping an eye on an existing injury. If you need an elbow scan, check out scan.com’s scan search tool to find an imaging center near you.

Resources:

1. https://www.bmj.com/content/353/bmj.i1391
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/elbow-pain/basics/causes/sym-20050874
3. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/search?kw=health+topics+elbow
4. https://affordablescan.com/blog/mri-of-the-elbow/
5. https://www.patrickjostmd.com/normal-anatomy-of-the-elbow.html