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Thrower’s Elbow

  • Chapter
Arthroscopy and Sport Injuries

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Abstract

The overhead throwing motion creates significant valgus and extension moments at the elbow, which can result in unique injury patterns seen in the throwing athlete. These abnormal forces can result in a multitude of distinct injuries, including ulnar collateral ligament tears and sprains, flexor-pronator mass tears and strains, ulnar neuritis, posteromedial impingement, olecranon stress fractures, osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the capitellum, and medial epicondyle apophyseal injuries. Accurate diagnosis and proper treatment of elbow injuries in the throwing athlete requires a thorough understanding of elbow function and anatomy, as well as an understanding of throwing mechanics and pathomechanics. The preoperative evaluation should focus on a thorough history and physical examination, followed by use of specific diagnostic imaging modalities. Recent advances in both nonoperative and operative treatment, including arthroscopic techniques, have afforded the athlete a successful return to competition.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Sports Medicine, Orlando Health Orthopedic Institute, Orlando Health, 1222 S. Orange Avenue, 5th Floor, Orlando, FL, 32806, USA

    Christopher S. Warrell MD & Daryl C. Osbahr MD

  2. Division of Sports Medicine, The Andrews Institute, 1040 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Suite 203, Gulf Breeze, Florida, 32561, USA

    James R. Andrews MD

Authors
  1. Christopher S. Warrell MD
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  2. Daryl C. Osbahr MD
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  3. James R. Andrews MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christopher S. Warrell MD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Knee Orthopedics and Sport Traumatology Unit,, Humanitas Clinical Institute IRCCS, Milan, Italy

    Piero Volpi

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Warrell, C.S., Osbahr, D.C., Andrews, J.R. (2016). Thrower’s Elbow. In: Volpi, P. (eds) Arthroscopy and Sport Injuries. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-14815-1_25

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