Availability of ultrasound screening for asymptomatic elbow injuries in judo athletes.

Abstract

We conducted ultrasonography (US) examination for asymptomatic elbow injuries in judo athletes to confirm availability of US screening for elbow. One hundred and thirty-two black belts in judo (85 males and 47 females; mean age, 20.0 ± 1.6 years) participated in this screening. Forty-eight participants had a history of elbow injury (elbow-injury group), and 84 did not (no-elbow-injury group). All participants completed a survey in the form of a questionnaire. Subsequently, US scanning of both elbows was performed. The maximal thickness of the medial collateral ligament of both elbows was significantly larger in the elbow-injury group than in the no-elbow-injury group. The width of the joint space was significantly larger in the right radiohumeral joint in the elbow-injury group than in the no-elbow-injury group. Combination injuries involving ligament and bone and those involving both the medial and lateral collateral ligaments were most commonly seen in both elbows in the elbow-injury group; however, these combined lesions of both elbows were also found in the no-elbow-injury group. Because US screening can reveal abnormalities of the asymptomatic elbow, US is recommended as a complementary imaging modality that is useful for evaluation of elbow injuries in athletes.