Background: Radial head stress fractures (RHSFs) and capitellar osteochondritis dissecans (COCD) are rare but may be seen in gymnasts. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and radiographic characteristics and the outcomes of RHSF and COCD in pediatric and adolescent gymnastic athletes.Methods: Classical gymnasts and competitive tumblers £18 years of age presenting with RHSF or COCD over a 5-year period were reviewed. Radiographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, and patient-reported outcomes were compared.Results: Fifty-eight elbows (39 with COCD and 19 with RHSF) were studied; the mean patient age was 11.6 years.Gymnastic athletes with RHSF competed at a higher level; of the athletes who competed at level ‡7, the rate was 95% of elbows in the RHSF group and 67% of elbows in the COCD group. The RHSF group presented more acutely with more valgus stress pain than those with COCD (p < 0.01) and demonstrated increased mean valgus angulation (and standard deviation) of the radial neck-shaft angle (13°± 3.8°for the RHSF group and 9.3°± 2.8°for the COCD group; p < 0.01) and decreased mean proximal radial epiphyseal height (3.7 ± 0.6 mm for the RHSF group and 4.2 ± 1.5 mm for the COCD group; p < 0.01). At a minimum of 2 years (range, 2.0 to 6.3 years), the RHSF group reported fewer symptoms; the QuickDASH (abbreviated version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire) score was 1.75 ± 3.84 points for the RHSF group and 7.45 ± 7.54 points for the COCD group (p < 0.01). Those at a high level ( ‡7) were more likely to return to gymnastics independent of pathology, with the RHSF group reporting higher final activity levels with the mean Hospital for Special Surgery Pediatric Functional Activity Brief Scale (HSS Pedi-FABS) score at 26.0 ± 7.5 points compared with the COCD group at 23.6 ± 5.7 points (p < 0.05). Of the 9 patients with bilateral COCD, only 3 (33%) returned to gymnastics.Conclusions: RHSF with features similar to the more familiar COCD lesion may present in gymnastic athletes. Those with RHSF may present more acutely with a high competitive level and may have a better prognosis for return to competitive gymnastics than those with COCD.

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Objectives: Radial head stress fractures (RHSF) and capitellar osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) are rare and may be seen in pediatric gymnasts. Clinical and radiographic factors correlating with these differential lesions are unclear. To describe the clinical presentation of RHSF and compare the demographic, radiographic, and clinical characteristics of elbows in pediatric gymnasts presenting with RHSF to those presenting with OCD of the capitellum. Methods: An IRB-approved retrospective review of consecutive female gymnasts treated within a pediatric sports medicine practice for either RHSF or capitellar OCD over a 5-year period (1/2014-2/2019) was performed. Gymnasts <18 years old at the time of injury presenting with signs of a radial head stress fracture (Salter-Harris III or IV) or with diagnostic features of capitellar OCD were included. Those with congenital anatomic elbow abnormalities or prior ipsilateral elbow surgery were excluded. Patients were dichotomized into either the RHSF or OCD group; and demographic, radiographic, and clinical characteristics were compared. Statistical analysis was performed using a Mann-Whitney test for continuous variables and a chi-square test for categorical variables. Results: Forty-five patients (9 with bilateral OCD, 1 with bilateral RHSF, and 3 with each lesion in alternate elbows), contributing 58 elbows, met inclusion criteria. Thirty-nine elbows in the OCD group and 19 elbows in the RHSF group were studied. Average age for all gymnasts was 11.58 years (9-16 years), with no difference between groups (OCD: 11.47 vs RHSF: 11.78; p=0.34). No differences in height, weight, BMI, or laterality were noted. Gymnasts presenting with RHSF were competing at a higher level than those with OCD, with 94.74% of RHSF group competing at level 7 or greater compared to 66.67% of OCD patients (p=0.02). Compared to those with OCD, the RHSF group presented more acutely following onset of symptoms (p=0.014), reported significantly more pain with valgus stress (p<0.001), and concurrent medial elbow pain than those with OCD (p<0.01). The RHSF group demonstrated significantly smaller distal humeral width and decreased height of the proximal radial epiphysis, as well as increased valgus angulation of the radial neck shaft angles and distal humeral articular surface (p<0.05). No differences in olecranon or medial epicondyle hypertrophy, or avulsive changes were identified. (Table I) Conclusion: Gymnasts competing at a high competitive level and presenting more acutely may be at risk for RHSF. Additionally, differing anatomy in the lateral elbow may be a predisposing risk factor for RHSF as opposed to OCD and merits further investigation.

Background: Radial head stress fractures (RHSF) and capitellar osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) are rare and may be seen in pediatric gymnasts. Clinical and radiographic factors correlating with these differential lesions are unclear. Purpose: To describe the clinical presetantion of RHSF and compare the demographic, radiographic, and clinical characteristics of elbows in pediatric gymnasts presenting with RHSF to those presenting with OCD of the capitellum. Methods: An IRB-approved retrospective review of consecutive female gymnasts treated within a pediatric sports medicine practice for either RHSF or capitellar OCD over a 5-year period (1/2014-2/2019) was performed. Gymnasts <18 years old at the time of injury presenting with signs of a radial head stress fracture (Salter-Harris III or IV) or with diagnostic features of capitellar OCD were included. Those with congenital anatomic elbow abnormalities or prior ipsilateral elbow surgery were excluded. Patients were dichotomized into either the RHSF or OCD group; and demographic, radiographic, and clinical characteristics were compared. Statistical analysis was performed using a Mann-Whitney test for continuous variables and a chi-square test for categorical variables. Results: Forty-five patients (9 with bilateral OCD, 1 with bilateral RHSF, and 3 with each lesion in alternate elbows), contributing 58 elbows, met inclusion criteria. Thirty-nine elbows in the OCD group and 19 elbows in the RHSF group were studied. Average age for all gymnasts was 11.58 years (9-16 years), with no difference between groups (OCD: 11.47 vs RHSF: 11.78; p=0.34). No differences in height, weight, BMI, or laterality were noted. Gymnasts presenting with RHSF were competing at a higher level than those with OCD, with 94.74% of RHSF group competing at level 7 or greater compared to 66.67% of OCD patients (p=0.02). Compared to those with OCD, the RHSF group presented more acutely following onset of symptoms (p=0.014), reported significantly more pain with valgus stress (p<0.001), and concurrent medial elbow pain than those with OCD (p<0.01). The RHSF group demonstrated significantly smaller distal humeral width and decreased height of the proximal radial epiphysis, as well as increased valgus angulation of the radial neck shaft angles and distal humeral articular surface (p<0.05). No differences in olecranon or medial epicondyle hypertrophy, or avulsive changes were identified. (Table I) Conclusion: Gymnasts competing at a high competitive level and presenting more acutely may be at risk for RHSF. Additionally, differing anatomy in the lateral elbow may be a predisposing risk factor for RHSF as opposed to OCD and merits further investigation. [Table: see text]