Ultrasound of the elbow: Medial aspect by Dr Denis JACOB
Analysis of the medial side of the elbow is used for three types of examinations: bone and joint indications, ligament indications which means the ulnar collateral ligament, and tendon indications, thus the tendons inserting on the medial epicondyle.
Exploring tendons on a longitudinal section:
Once the bony landmarks have been identified, it will be easier to analyze the tendons.
So, we find the medial epicondyle, which is rounded, and then the most proximal tendon which has a very proximal musculotendinous junction. This is the tendon of the pronator teres, which you see here inserting on the supracondylar ridge.
If you slide the probe down, a second tendon appears that is slightly under it and more posterior. This is the tendon of the flexor carpi radialis.
It is hard to differentiate between this tendon and the palmaris tendon when it is present. You can see that this tendon creeps further back.
As we continue down, we arrive at the underlying tendon, which inserts fully on the medial epicondyle. It has a more oblique and more inferior trajectory. This is the tendon of the flexor digitorum superficialis.
Behind this tendon’s insertion, the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris inserts behind the medial epicondyle. It is very posterior and inferior and in close contact with the inferior portion of the cubital tunnel.