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Elbow Injuries

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Essential Radiology for Sports Medicine

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Abstract

Sports-related elbow injuries have increased over the last decade. With one in every four members of a household participating in sports, both clinics and radiology departments are seeing more patients with elbow injuries. The most common clinical presentation is lateral elbow pain. Familiar terms such as “tennis elbow,” “golfer’s elbow,” and “little leaguer’s elbow,” are mostly due to the popularity of overhead throwing and racquet sports such as baseball, football, and tennis. It is important to understand the anatomy of the elbow joint, its supporting structures, and its complex biomechanics to allow for a quick and accurate diagnosis. Injuries to the bone, tendon, ligaments, and nerves are related to the biomechanics of the elbow joint as each structure fails due to chronic overuse, repetitive microtrauma, or acute events. Additionally, different injury patterns occur in children than in adults. Risk factors include suboptimal mechanics, improper equipment, or deconditioned state. We will discuss how MR imaging, CT, and ultrasound can help to diagnose elbow injuries seen in sports, and how together with a firm understanding of the biomechanics of the various injuries will lead to a diagnose for proper rehabilitation and quick return to the sport.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics, Madison, WI, USA

    Kenneth S. Lee

Authors
  1. Kenneth S. Lee
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  2. Michael J. Tuite
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  3. Humberto G. Rosas
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Correspondence to Kenneth S. Lee .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Musculoskeletal Centre X-Ray Dept., Leeds Teaching Hospitals, Leeds, LS7 4SA, United Kingdom

    Philip Robinson

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Lee, K.S., Tuite, M.J., Rosas, H.G. (2010). Elbow Injuries. In: Robinson, P. (eds) Essential Radiology for Sports Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-5973-7_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-5973-7_6

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