Which pathology commonly presents with clicking, popping, and locking when straightening the elbow?

Which pathology commonly presents with clicking, popping, and locking when straightening the elbow?

• A. Tennis elbow
• B. Olecranon bursitis
• C. Golfer's elbow
• D. Posterior elbow impingement syndrome

Answer: (D)

Mechanical symptoms like clicking, popping, or locking when the elbow straightens point to impingement in the back of the elbow. Posterior elbow impingement occurs when bone spurs or loose bodies in the posterior compartment are pinched between the olecranon and the olecranon fossa during extension. This produces a catch or relief with full extension and often pain at the back of the elbow, especially in people who perform repetitive throwing or throwing-like motions. Tennis elbow is pain at the outer elbow from tendinopathy of the lateral epicondyle, mainly with resisted wrist extension. Golfer's elbow is pain at the inner elbow from medial epicondylitis, with wrist flexion. Olecranon bursitis presents with swelling and fullness over the tip of the elbow and sometimes warmth, but it does not typically cause mechanical clicking with extension.

Mechanical symptoms like clicking, popping, or locking when the elbow straightens point to impingement in the back of the elbow. Posterior elbow impingement occurs when bone spurs or loose bodies in the posterior compartment are pinched between the olecranon and the olecranon fossa during extension. This produces a catch or relief with full extension and often pain at the back of the elbow, especially in people who perform repetitive throwing or throwing-like motions.

Tennis elbow is pain at the outer elbow from tendinopathy of the lateral epicondyle, mainly with resisted wrist extension. Golfer's elbow is pain at the inner elbow from medial epicondylitis, with wrist flexion. Olecranon bursitis presents with swelling and fullness over the tip of the elbow and sometimes warmth, but it does not typically cause mechanical clicking with extension.