Osteoid osteoma of the coronoid process causing flexion contracture of the elbow

Osteoid osteoma is one of the benign osteoblastic lesions that causes chronic pain. Diagnosis may be delayed in juxta-articular lesions in which characteristic radiographic findings may not be present, resulting in limited joint motion. A 23-year-old patient presented with a complaint of pain in the right elbow of one-year history. He sought medical treatment at another center and was prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory treatment that resulted in significant pain relief; however, limitations of elbow motion ensued. On physical examination, there was pain in the antecubital part of the right elbow on palpation and a flexion contracture of 30 degrees. Findings of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were consistent with osteoid osteoma. The lesion was excised and postoperative controls showed no flexion contracture.