Imaging pediatric sports injuries: upper extremity
1Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA. kdavis@uwhealth.org
Radiologic Clinics of North America
|November 25, 2010
Summary
Youth sports participation is rising, leading to more overuse injuries like Little League shoulder and elbow. Physicians are seeing more rotator cuff tears, glenoid labral injuries, and wrist problems in young athletes.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Sports Injury
Background:
- Increasing youth participation in organized sports.
- Rise in overuse injuries among young athletes.
- Shifting patterns of sports-related injuries in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current trends in youth sports injuries.
- To highlight common overuse and acute injuries seen in primary care and sports medicine.
- To discuss the diagnosis and management of prevalent pediatric sports injuries.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on youth sports injuries.
- Clinical observations from primary care and sports medicine settings.
- Analysis of common injury types and their prevalence.
Main Results:
- Overuse injuries such as Little League shoulder, Little League elbow, and gymnast wrist are increasingly common.
- Rotator cuff tears and glenoid labral injuries, previously rare, are now more frequently observed in youth.
- Osteochondritis dissecans of the elbow often requires surgery, and triangular fibrocartilage tears are notable wrist abnormalities. Tendonitis is common but rarely needs imaging.
Conclusions:
- Physicians treating young athletes must be aware of the increasing incidence of specific overuse and acute injuries.
- Early recognition and appropriate management are crucial for optimizing outcomes in pediatric sports injuries.
- The landscape of youth sports injuries has evolved, necessitating updated clinical approaches.
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