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Diagnosis and Treatment of Posteromedial Elbow Im**ement in the Throwing Athlete

  • Injuries in Overhead Athletes (J Dines and C Camp, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Posteromedial elbow im**ement is a common pathological entity in the throwing athlete. The posteromedial articulation of the elbow is a significant stabilizer to medial elbow forces and valgus stress noted during repetitive throwing. This current review investigates recent literature regarding the relevant anatomy, diagnosis, and treatment of posteromedial im**ement in the thrower.

Recent Findings

Improvements in advanced imaging have provided accurate and detailed diagnostic capability for the assessment of the throwers’ elbow. After failure of conservative measures, arthroscopic treatment of posteromedial elbow im**ement with posteromedial osteophyte removal has demonstrated excellent outcomes with a reliable return to play in the competitive thrower.

Summary

In addition to a thorough history and physical examination, MRI, MR arthrogram, CT, and dynamic ultrasound imaging modalities are useful in the assessment of a presumed diagnosis of posteromedial im**ement. Arthroscopic decompression with posteromedial osteophyte removal provides effective clinical results and return to play. The surgeon should be careful to avoid creating medial ulnar collateral instability by means of over-resection of the posteromedial olecranon.

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Funding

Dr. Griffith received funding from the MLB.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Atlanta Braves Baseball Club, Emory Sports Medicine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, 21 Ortho Lane, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA

    R. L. Bowers

  2. Atlanta Braves Baseball Club, The Hand and Upper Extremity Center of Georgia, Atlanta, GA, USA

    G. M. Lourie

  3. Atlanta Braves Baseball Club, Peachtree Orthopaedics, Atlanta, GA, USA

    T. B. Griffith

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  1. R. L. Bowers
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  3. T. B. Griffith
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Correspondence to R. L. Bowers.

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Robert Bowers declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Gary Lourie declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Timothy Griffith declares that he has no conflict of interest.

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Bowers, R.L., Lourie, G.M. & Griffith, T.B. Diagnosis and Treatment of Posteromedial Elbow Im**ement in the Throwing Athlete. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med 15, 513–520 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12178-022-09789-w

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