History

Presenting symptoms

Core story

Associated symptoms

Alarm Features

Immediate threats

Escalation triggers

Vital sign danger thresholds

High risk populations

Medications

Medication exposures affecting elbow pain

Current and recent medications

Analgesics already used

Contraindications relevant to common therapies

Diet

Exposures relevant to inflammatory elbow pain

Hydration and intake pattern

Purine and fructose exposure

Review of Systems

System review targeted to elbow pain

General and infectious

Skin and soft tissue

Musculoskeletal

Neurologic

Cardiopulmonary redirection

Collateral History and Family History

Context and inherited risks

Collateral source

Family history

Household and exposure

Risk Factors

Patient and exposure risks

Trauma and occupational

Infection risk

Bleeding risk

Crystal arthritis risk

Differential Diagnosis

Life threatening and limb threatening

Cannot miss

Common

Frequent etiologies

Less common

Important alternatives

Past Medical History

Prior conditions affecting evaluation

Musculoskeletal history

Infection history

Medical comorbidities

Physical Exam

General and vitals

Overall status

Vitals pattern

Elbow and upper extremity exam

Inspection

Palpation

Range of motion

Strength testing

Neurovascular

Regional exam

Lab Studies

When infection or inflammatory process suspected

Baseline studies

Microbiology when systemic illness

Bleeding and metabolic context

Imaging

Scoring Systems

Decision aids for imaging need

MRI

Soft tissue and occult injury evaluation

CT

Complex bony injury characterization

Ultrasound

POCUS and targeted ultrasound

Special Tests

Bedside maneuvers and procedures

Stability and tendinopathy maneuvers

Aspiration when infection or crystal concern

Reduction related tests

ECG

When elbow pain could be referred ischemia

Indications

High risk findings

Serial strategy

Assessment

Problem representation and risk stratification

Working diagnosis statement

Severity markers

Diagnostic uncertainty

Plan

Critical patient first 5 minutes

Immediate actions if unstable or limb threatened

Analgesia and immobilization

Pain control options

Immobilization and support

Infection and inflammatory treatment

Suspected septic arthritis management

Suspected septic olecranon bursitis management

Suspected gout flare management

Reassessment loop

Interval reassessment targets

Disposition

Level of care and follow up criteria

Admission indications

Observation pathway considerations

Discharge criteria

Follow up timing

Discharge Instructions

Copy discharge instructions

Summary

Medications

Activity

Follow up

Return to emergency care now for

References

Guidelines and key references

Core sources

SymptomDx is an educational tool for medical professionals. It does not replace clinical judgment. Verify all clinical data and drug dosages with authoritative sources.