Elbow Injuries In Athletes Research Articles

Ultrasonographic Technique, Appearance, and Diagnostic Accuracy for Common Elbow Sports Injuries.

Ultrasonography is a valuable diagnostic imaging tool because of its availability, tolerability, low cost, and utility in real-time dynamic evaluation. Its use in diagnosing elbow injuries has expanded recently and continues to do so. In particular, stress ultrasonography represents a unique imaging technique that directly visualizes the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) and allows the assessment of ligament laxity, offering an advantage over magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance arthrography in this patient population. Furthermore, ultrasonography has shown particular usefulness in instances where invasive techniques might be less desirable. This is particularly important in athletes since more invasive procedures potentially result in lost time from their sport. Ultrasonography is an important imaging tool that complements a thorough history and physical examination in the evaluation of elbow injuries in athletes. The use of ultrasonography in orthopaedic sports medicine has been investigated previously; however, to our knowledge, there has been no comprehensive review regarding the utility of ultrasonography for common elbow injuries in athletes. The current study provides a comprehensive, detailed review of the utility and indications for the use of ultrasonography for common elbow injuries in athletes.

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

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.

Shoulder and Elbow Injuries in Athletes: Prevention, Treatment, and Return to Sport

Shoulder and Elbow Injuries in Athletes: Prevention, Treatment, and Return to Sport

Pediatric elbow injuries in athletes.

Elbow injuries in pediatric and adolescent population represent a spectrum of pathology that can range from medial tension injuries to posterior shear injuries. Elbow injuries in this population continue to rise in parallel with the increase in youth participation in sports both throughout the calendar year and across multiple sports. Many of these injuries are noncontact and are attributed to overuse. Evaluation and management of youth and adolescent athletic elbow injuries requires knowledge of developmental anatomy, injury pathophysiology, and established treatment algorithms. Furthermore, risk factors contributing to elbow injuries must be recognized, with education and recommendations for safe play continually advocated. This education--of parents, athletes, and coaches--is paramount in reducing the climbing incidence of elbow injuries in our youth athletes.

Role of the Kinetic Chain in the Etiology of Elbow Injuries in Athletes

Role of the Kinetic Chain in the Etiology of Elbow Injuries in Athletes

Role of the Kinetic Chain in the Etiology of Elbow Injuries in Athletes

Role of the Kinetic Chain in the Etiology of Elbow Injuries in Athletes

Imaging of the elbow in the overhead throwing athlete.

Elbow injuries in athletes who perform overhead throwing motions often present diagnostic challenges because of the undue stresses and often chronic, repetitive patterns of injury. Accurate and efficient assessment of the injured elbow is essential to maximize functional recovery and expedite return to play. Radiographic evaluation should be tailored to the specific injury suspected and requires a thorough understanding of normal anatomic relationships as well as familiarity with common injuries affecting these athletes.

Elbow injuries.

The elbow is a commonly injured joint, yet physicians may be less comfortable treating injuries to the elbow compared with knee and shoulder injuries. Common injuries involving the elbow are tendinosis, instability, tendon ruptures, osteochondritis dissecans, and fractures. Tendinosis is a common overuse injury and may occur on the lateral, medial, or infrequently, the posterior side of the elbow. Injury to the medial or lateral ulnar collateral ligaments may result in instability. Repetitive trauma from overuse is the most common etiologic factor in athletes. Distal biceps and triceps tendon injuries may result in elbow disability in active individuals. Partial tears are more difficult to diagnose than complete ruptures. Osteochondritis dissecans of capitellum affects adolescents involved in overhead throwing athletics. Fractures about the elbow most commonly involve the radial head in adults, and the distal humerus in children. Athletes are prone to elbow injuries resulting from both overuse and acute trauma. Our purpose is to describe the diagnosis and treatment of these common elbow injuries in athletes of all ages.

Sport injuries of the elbow.

Athletic injuries of the elbow are common especially in throwing sports such as baseball and tennis. An early diagnosis, early initiation of treatment, and appropriate referrals for surgical management enable...

Elbow Injuries in Athletes

Elbow injuries are becoming more common as increasing numbers of people participate in throwing and racquet sports. The understanding and treatment of elbow injuries is becoming more sophisticated in conjunction with better noninvasive and invasive diagnostic techniques. The majority of injuries to the elbow in the athlete are chronic, overuse injuries. These injuries are the result of repetitive intrinsic or extrinsic overload, or both, resulting in microrupture of soft tissue such as ligament or tendon. In children, apophyses, being the weakest link in the immature musculoskeletal system, are susceptible to stress injuries. Elbow injuries are most commonly caused by valgus stress, from throwing or axial compression, resulting in increased force absorbed by the medial elbow. With repetitive valgus stress, patients may develop chondromalacia, loose bodies in the posterior or lateral compartments, injury to the ulnar collateral ligament, myotendinous injury to the flexor-pronator muscle group, osteochondritis dissecans, or ulnar neuritis. The purpose of this paper is to (1) define the significance of elbow injuries in athletics, (2) review the anatomy and biomechanics of the elbow, and (3) discuss the prevention and treatment of elbow injuries.