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Published on: October 15, 2019
Common weightlifting injuries of the upper extremity
Sarah M Yu1, Joseph S Yu2,3,4
1Department of Radiology, University of California-San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
Skeletal Radiology
|May 8, 2026
Summary
Weightlifting offers significant benefits for muscle and bone health across all ages. However, extreme lifts can cause upper extremity injuries, which this article details with MR imaging findings.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Sports Medicine
- Radiology
Background:
- Weightlifting popularity is rising for fitness and competition.
- Resistance training benefits muscle and bone health in all age groups.
- Weightlifting enhances strength and balance, combating aging effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss common upper extremity injuries in weightlifting.
- To detail injury mechanisms.
- To highlight MR imaging findings for these injuries.
Main Methods:
- Review of common weightlifting-associated upper extremity injuries.
- Analysis of injury mechanisms.
- Emphasis on Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging findings.
Main Results:
- Identification of five common upper extremity injuries.
- Description of injury mechanisms related to extreme forces.
- Correlation of injuries with specific MR imaging characteristics.
Conclusions:
- Weightlifting can lead to significant upper extremity injuries.
- Understanding injury mechanisms is crucial for prevention.
- MR imaging is essential for diagnosing these weightlifting-related injuries.
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