What is the "fat pad sign" in the context of elbow injuries, and why should orthopedic surgeons be aware of it?

A: swelling of the bursa olecrani which looks like a fat pad.

B: A radiographic finding indicating joint effusion.

C: A visible soft tissue bulge on X-ray which can be mistaken for a fat pad but is actually due to a muscle tear or sprain.

The correct answer is B. This radiographic finding occurs when the normal fat pads surrounding the humerus are elevated. This usually happens when there is a joint effusion, for example in the presence of an occult fracture which cannot be seen on the X-ray.

What is the “fat pad sign” in the context of elbow injuries, and why should orthopedic surgeons be aware of it?

What is the "fat pad sign" in the context of elbow injuries, and why should orthopedic surgeons be aware of it?

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