Elbow injuries in throwing athletes: a current concepts review

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Overhead throwing athletes experience extreme valgus and extension forces on the elbow.
• These forces can lead to acute or chronic injuries and structural damage to the elbow complex.
• Medial structures face tensile forces, while the lateral compartment experiences compression and posterior shear stress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review common elbow injuries in overhead throwing athletes.
• To emphasize the importance of understanding elbow anatomy and throwing biomechanics for diagnosis and treatment.
• To discuss advancements in surgical techniques and their impact on athlete recovery.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of common throwing-related elbow pathologies.
• Analysis of biomechanical forces during overhead throwing.
• Discussion of current arthroscopic surgical techniques and ligament reconstruction.

Main Results:

• Common injuries include ulnar collateral ligament tears, ulnar neuritis, flexor-pronator injuries, and valgus extension overload syndrome.
• Osteochondritis dissecans, stress fractures, and loose bodies are also prevalent.
• Surgical advancements have improved outcomes for motivated athletes.

Conclusions:

• A thorough understanding of elbow anatomy and throwing biomechanics is essential for effective diagnosis and treatment.
• While surgical techniques have advanced, continued throwing often leads to re-injury or symptom recurrence.
• Further research may focus on preventative strategies and long-term management for throwing athletes.