Pediatric Elbow Injuries in Athletes

Abstract

Elbow injuries in pediatric and adolescent population represent a spectrum of pathology that can range from medial tension injuries to posterior shear injuries. Elbow injuries in this population continue to rise in parallel with the increase in youth participation in sports both throughout the calendar year and across multiple sports. Many of these injuries are noncontact and are attributed to overuse. Evaluation and management of youth and adolescent athletic elbow injuries requires knowledge of developmental anatomy, injury pathophysiology, and established treatment algorithms. Furthermore, risk factors contributing to elbow injuries must be recognized, with education and recommendations for safe play continually advocated. This education--of parents, athletes, and coaches--is paramount in reducing the climbing incidence of elbow injuries in our youth athletes.

Early Outcomes of Pediatric Elbow Dislocation—Risk Factors Associated With Morbidity

“…The significance of this finding is unclear, but may reflect institutional practice patterns, or the changing pattern of sports participation and injury in children. With increased participation at a higher level of sport, greater forces and injury patterns are occurring, 11 potentially leading to greater instability and need for rigid fixation. This observation will need to be validated in future prospective studies.…”

Opening the Black Box: Evaluating the Pediatric Athlete With Elbow Pain

“…As the patient's pain resolves and range of motion improves, strengthening exercises of the forearm pronator and wrist flexor musculature should begin. When the patient is asymptomatic, an interval throwing program can be initiated to prepare the athlete to return to sports [3]. Research in the pediatric population is limited, but adult nonthrowing athletes who sustain a traumatic UCL injury are able to return to sports quicker and with better functional outcomes than adult throwing athletes [40].…”

“…Surgical repair or reconstruction should be considered for chronic instability, acute full‐thickness tears, tears in high‐demand overhead athletes, or failed rehabilitation. After UCL reconstruction or repair, 80%‐90% of athletes are able to return to their preinjury functional status; however, athletes should be counseled that it typically requires at least 1 year to achieve maximal function after surgery [3,8,42].…”

“…It is estimated that more than 30 million children participate in organized sports each year [1]. Sports are the leading cause of injury in children and adolescents, and more than half of all sports‐related injuries are related to overtraining and overuse [1‐3]. Certain children starting sports at a young age can be very successful, and they may be labeled as gifted or talented.…”

Effect of Predraft Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction on Future Performance in Professional Baseball: A Matched Cohort Comparison

“…7,16,23 Although the direct effect of this noncompliance has not yet been elucidated, the connection of overuse to upper extremity injuries among amateur pitchers has been well established. 5,8,12,13,17,18,21 As these injuries continue to occur in these athletes, the need for surgical intervention will likely continue to climb. Fortunately, multiple studies showed encouraging results of UCL reconstructive surgery for amateur baseball players.…”