• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.89-97
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• 2014

Purpose: To evaluate the ultrasonographic findings of the elbows on group screening of middle school baseball players. Materials and Methods: Ninety-three players (age: 12-15, mean 13.5 years) of four middle school baseball team were evaluated with bilateral elbow ultrasonographies in the field regardless of elbow pain. Medial and anterolateral ultrasound examination of the both elbow were performed in the field to detect any abnormalities including medial epicondylar separation or fragmentation and capitellar osteochondritis dissecans respectively. We analyzed the relationship among elbow pain, physical findings and sonographic abnormalities and the differences of sonographic abnormalities between pitchers and fielders. Results: Thirty-six of 93 (39%) players had sonographic abnormalities of elbow in dominant arm, 30 with medial epicondylar apophyseal separation or fragmentation, 2 with osteochondritis dissecans, 4 with both lesions. Twenty-nine of 37 (78%) players with elbow pain had sonographic abnormalities. On physical examination, players with medial epicondylar abnormalities had medial epicondylar tenderness (59%) and pain on valgus stress test (52%), and 5 of 6 (83%) players with osteochondritis dissecans showed flexion contracture more than $5^{\circ}$. The incidence of medial epicondylar abnormalities between pitchers and fielders was statistically not significant but osteochondritis dissecans was more prevalent in pitchers (p<0.05). Conclusion: Elbow sonography is a simple and useful screening tool in the field and also effective for early detection of medial epicondylar abnormalities or osteochondritis dissecans that could be the main causes of elbow pain in adolescent baseball players.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 2002

Purpose : We evaluated radiographic changes and clinical manifestations of the elbow joint to identify the effects of the throwing between dominant and non-dominant arms. Materials and Methods : A hundred and five little leaguer’s baseball player in 5 elementary school and 2 middle school were evaluated for clinical symptoms and radiographic changes about elbow joint. Mean age was 12 years old and average periods of exercise were 32 months. Elbow functions were evaluated using ASES standardized assessment form and radiographic changes of medial epicondyle were examinated for enlargement, separation of the apophyses, fragmentation and irregularity. Results : Thirty seven players (35$\%$) were complained pain with throwing and the average score was 4.8 using visual analog scale. There were no significant differences in range of motion except flexion angle, valgus angle, and strength between dominant arm and non-dominant arm. Valgus laxity was more prominent in dominant arm. Ulnohumeral tenderness, radiocapitellar tenderness and medial flexor origin tenderness were in 18, 6, and 17 cases respectively in dominant arm. Medial epicondyle was enlarged in dominant arm with 13.0 by 6.3 mm compared to non-dominant arm with 11.7 by 6.1 mm. Apophyseal separation was 0.8 mm in dominant arm and 0.5 mm in non-dominant arm. Fragmentation and irregularity were 14 (13$\%$) and 25 (24$\%$) cases respectively in dominant arm. Conclusion : In little league baseball player, it needs usage of ball and bat with appropriate weight, and careful conditioning programs through throwing exercise in order to avoid elbow injuries.