Elbow Traumatic and Overuse Injuries: A Radiologic Review

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Radiology
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Elbow injuries, caused by acute trauma or repetitive overuse, are prevalent, leading to pain and functional deficits in athletes and the general population.
• Accurate diagnosis and effective management are crucial for patient recovery and return to activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a comprehensive radiologic approach for evaluating and managing elbow injuries.
• To consolidate imaging strategies and highlight the strengths of various modalities for diagnosis and treatment.

Main Methods:

• Review of key imaging modalities (e.g., X-ray, MRI, Ultrasound) for elbow injury assessment.
• Description of radiologic features for traumatic injuries (fractures, ligamentous disruptions, tendon avulsions).
• Discussion of imaging findings in common overuse conditions (epicondylitis, nerve compression syndromes).

Main Results:

• Guidance on assessing traumatic elbow injuries using specific imaging techniques.
• Characteristic imaging features and diagnostic challenges for overuse elbow conditions are detailed.
• The role of image-guided interventions, particularly ultrasound-guided injections, in diagnosis and treatment is explored.

Conclusions:

• A structured radiologic approach aids in accurate diagnosis of elbow injuries.
• Understanding the strengths of each imaging modality is key for effective management.
• Optimized diagnosis and treatment strategies facilitate better patient outcomes and timely return to activity.