Best Practice Case Studies-Elbow Injuries in Throwing Athletes

Elbow Injuries in Throwing Athletes

Pdf Summary

The review by E. Lyle Cain, Jr., and colleagues from the American Sports Medicine Institute addresses the complex issues surrounding elbow injuries in overhead throwing athletes. These injuries are primarily due to high valgus and extension stresses during the throwing motion, which affect various parts of the elbow joint. Common injuries include ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tears, ulnar neuritis, flexor-pronator strains, medial epicondyle apophysitis or avulsion, valgus extension overload syndrome, olecranon stress fractures, osteochondritis dissecans, and loose bodies.<br /><br />The review emphasizes the importance of understanding elbow anatomy and biomechanics to properly diagnose and treat these conditions. It highlights the recent advancements in arthroscopic surgical techniques and UCL reconstruction, which have significantly improved athletes' chances of returning to their sport post-injury. Despite these advancements, athletes often face recurrent injuries due to the repetitive nature of throwing sports.<br /><br />Some injuries, like UCL tears or significant valgus laxity, often require surgical intervention, notably in competitive athletes, whereas others, such as muscle strains or neuritis, might respond well to conservative treatments like rest, rehabilitation, and anti-inflammatory medications. For young athletes, prevention through limiting the number and types of pitches and educating coaches and parents is crucial due to the susceptibility of adolescent elbows to unique injury patterns.<br /><br />The review concludes by acknowledging the generally good prognosis for returning to sports due to improved surgical methods but also underscores the reality that continued high-stress activity can lead to recurrence, suggesting treatments are more palliative than curative for throwing athletes.

Keywords

elbow injuries

overhead throwing

ulnar collateral ligament

arthroscopic surgery

UCL reconstruction

valgus stress

sports medicine

injury prevention

rehabilitation

athlete recovery