MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Carrying angle of the elbow

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Carrying angle of the elbow - excessive

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Illustrations Alternative names	Information

Illustrations

Skeleton

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Elbow carrying angle - excessive; Excessive carrying angle of the elbow; Cubitus valgus

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With the arms extended at the side, and the palms of the hand facing forward, the forearm and hands are normally held slightly away from the body. This is due to the normal carrying angle of the elbow, which is 5 to 15 degrees. This angle permits the straightened forearm to clear the side of the hips in swinging movements during walking, and is important when carrying objects. After certain fractures of the elbow, the carrying angle of the healed arm may be excessive. Or, the angle may be decreased so that the arm points to the body, creating what is called a "gunstock deformity."

Update Date: 10/27/2003

Updated by: Andrew L. Chen, M.D., M.S., Steadman-Hawkins Sports Medicine Foundation, Vail, CO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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