Postoperative MR Imaging of the Elbow

Elbow injuries are a growing problem particularly among overhead athletes, because more children and adolescents are participating in sporting activities. The goal of surgical management of elbow injuries is to restore the capsuloligamentous and osseous contributions to stability. However, postoperative MR imaging evaluation is difficult because of the variety of surgical techniques available, and the lack of postoperative MR imaging for suspected complications because many are diagnosed clinically and a revision may be performed without imaging. This article reviews some of the commonly performed surgical techniques for select elbow injuries, with their postoperative MR imaging findings and complications.