Thickening of the anterior band of the ulnar collateral ligaments and posteromedial subchondral sclerosis of the trochlea are commonly found in MRI of high school-aged pitchers and can be considered normal findings in the absence of symptom complaints, according to an article published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine.
However, other changes in tissue appearance of the throwing elbow are uncommon and should be regarded with caution.
For the study, 23 uninjured, asymptomatic male high school-aged baseball players with no history of elbow injury were examined. Bilateral elbow MRI examinations were performed using standardized protocol, and the images were reviewed by musculoskeletal radiologists.
Three participants had no abnormalities, 15 had asymmetrical anterior band ulnar collateral ligament thickening including four who also had mild sublime tubercle/anteromedial face edema, 14 had posteromedial subchondral sclerosis of the ulnotrochlear articulation and four had mild posteromedial ulnotrachlear chondromalacia. Ten of the players had multiple abnormal findings in the throwing elbow.
Read the abstract for "Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Throwing Elbow in the Uninjured, High School-Aged Baseball Pitcher."
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However, other changes in tissue appearance of the throwing elbow are uncommon and should be regarded with caution.
For the study, 23 uninjured, asymptomatic male high school-aged baseball players with no history of elbow injury were examined. Bilateral elbow MRI examinations were performed using standardized protocol, and the images were reviewed by musculoskeletal radiologists.
Three participants had no abnormalities, 15 had asymmetrical anterior band ulnar collateral ligament thickening including four who also had mild sublime tubercle/anteromedial face edema, 14 had posteromedial subchondral sclerosis of the ulnotrochlear articulation and four had mild posteromedial ulnotrachlear chondromalacia. Ten of the players had multiple abnormal findings in the throwing elbow.
Read the abstract for "Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Throwing Elbow in the Uninjured, High School-Aged Baseball Pitcher."
Read other coverage on sports medicine studies:
- Study: PRP Enhances ACL Cell Viability, Function In Vitro
- Study: Osteochondral Grafts May Be Safe for Young Knee Replacement Patients
- Study: MRI Doesn't Effectively Predict Reparability of Meniscal Tears