Elbow Arthritis in the Athlete

Abstract

The physical demands of an athlete on the elbow joint can stress the native kinematics of the elbow joint leading to injury, aberrant mechanics, or osteoarthritis. Understanding the athletic demands and pathomechanics are paramount in diagnosing and treating this condition since painful motion and pathologic loss of function can be physically, as well as psychologically, devastating in this population. Accurate diagnosis can be achieved with physical exam and advanced imaging including computed tomography with three-dimensional reconstruction. After failure of conservative treatment, surgical intervention for elbow osteoarthritis in an athletic population includes open and arthroscopic debridement with total elbow arthroplasty as a salvage, activity-ending option. Arthroscopic treatment for arthritis is preferred as this limits soft tissue trauma, which may allow for quicker recovery and decreases associated morbidity. Preoperative planning and systematic arthroscopic technique facilitate understanding of elbow pathology and technical efficacy of elbow arthroscopy. Outcomes of debridement have shown improvements in range of motion, pain relief, and return to sport.