Patterns of articular wear in the cadaveric elbow joint.

Thirty-two fixed cadaveric elbow specimens from an elderly population were examined photographically after staining of the articular cartilage. The photographic images of the articular wear areas observed were calibrated and superimposed to determine the overall pattern of articular wear in the elbow. In this group, the radiohumeral compartment showed the most frequent degenerative changes. A pattern of involvement could have been identified, proceeding from the posteromedial region of the radial head and the apex of the capitellum. Eventually, the entire lateral compartment is involved, but in most specimens examined the ulnohumeral and radioulnar articulations are preserved.