Arthroscopic treatment of posterior impingement of the elbow in athletes

Arthroscopic treatment of posterior impingement of the elbow in athletes consistently can improve comfort and function. Arthroscopic treatment is particularly valuable because of increased intra-articular visualization of the anterior and posterior compartments and diminished soft tissue trauma. Arthroscopic visualization also can help the surgeon assess small pathologic changes in joint congruity seen in subtle forms of ligamentous instability, which are often symptomatic in high-demand athletes. Treatment of these subtle instabilities can be individualized to the athlete. Most athletes are able to return to the same level of their sport after arthroscopic surgery for posterior impingement of the elbow. In certain athletes, however, depending on the position played, reoperation rates are high, and return rates to the same level of competition can be less than in other athletes with posterior impingement of the elbow. Patient selection, technical expertise, and familiarity with open and arthroscopic elbow surgery are all criteria for success.     

Arthroscopic treatment of shoulder impingement in athletes.

Twenty-nine patients (1 high school athlete, 9 college athletes, and 20 recreational or nonathletes) with Neer stage II impingement syndrome were treated by arthroscopic subacromial decompression after their injuries failed to improve with conservative therapy. Followup averaged 32.2 months, and results were rated based on subjective responses and the UCLA Shoulder Rating Scale. Of the results, 82.2% were rated as satisfactory, while 17.2% were unsatisfactory. The greatest margin of improvement was in the pain rating. Postoperatively, 65.5% of the patients returned to their previous level of activity and 56% of the collegiate athletes returned to their previous competitive level. The average time to return to college-level competitive athletics for the recreational or nonathletes was 6.6 months (average 5.4). There were no infections or neurovascular complications in the series.     

Diagnosis and treatment of distal biceps and anterior elbow pain in throwing athletes

Despite the activity of the musculature around the elbow and the high angular velocity and stresses, distal biceps tendon injury is rare in the overhead athlete. The biomechanics of the throwing motion and electromyographic studies of the elbow provide useful clues as to why the biceps stays relatively healthy. Anterior elbow complaints are not uncommon in this population and can easily be mistaken for distal biceps pathology. In the event that a thrower does demonstrate biceps tendon pathology, it should be treated in a similar fashion to all other athletic individuals. It is more important to review the differential diagnosis for anterior elbow pain when an athlete has symptoms that might be attributed to the distal biceps tendon. Once the other possible causes of biceps-related pain have been evaluated, the sports medicine physician can then proceed with appropriate treatment to return that athlete to the playing field as quickly and safely as possible.     

Medial ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction of the elbow in throwing athletes

BACKGROUND: Medial ulnar collateral ligament insufficiency of the elbow can be a devastating injury in the throwing athlete. Reconstruction of the medial ulnar collateral ligament was initially described by Jobe and associates; good clinical results have been described after this procedure. The authors' experience with this technique raised several concerns, and thus the "docking" procedure was developed as an alternative method for medial ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction of the elbow. The early results of the docking technique were good. The authors wish to investigate the intermediate-term clinical results of this method in a large group of athletes. HYPOTHESIS: The docking technique can return overhead-throwing athletes to sport with minimal perioperative morbidity. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: During a 3-year period, 100 consecutive overhead-throwing athletes were treated with surgical reconstruction using the docking technique. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) a history of medial elbow pain that prevented throwing, (2) a preoperative standard noncontrast magnetic resonance image demonstrating medial ulnar collateral ligament injury, (3) clinically apparent medial ulnar collateral ligament insufficiency, and (4) an overhead-throwing athlete. At the time of surgery, all patients underwent routine arthroscopic assessment. The ulnar nerve was transposed in 22 cases. The mean follow-up was 36 months (range, 24-60 months). RESULTS: Ninety of 100 (90%) patients were able to compete at the same or a higher level than before medial ulnar collateral ligament injury for more than 12 months as noted at the follow-up interval; 7 patients were able to compete at a lower level. Only 3 patients suffered postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: The docking technique reliably returns athletes to competitive throwing with a low perioperative morbidity.     

United unresorbed medial and lateral plicae as anterior mesenchymal synovial septal remnant

Mesenchymal tissue that forms compartments in the knee joint begins to be resorbed in the 8th week of embryologic life. Unless these mesenchymal tissues are totally resorbed, they remain as septal remnants, and are termed mediopatellar, infrapatellar, suprapatellar, and lateral plicae. We report a case of united anterior plica; the inferior part of the anterior mesenchymal septum at the back of the patellar tendon was unseparated and unresorbed, and one-half of the superior part of the septum beginning from the inferior pole of the patella formed the V-shaped medial and lateral plicae such that their opening looked upwards.     

Arthroscopic treatment of elbowarthritis in athletes

Arthroscopy has a valuable role in the treatment of elbow arthritis in the athletic population. General arthroscopicdebridement techniques used in the treatment of arthritis in other joints are quite valuable. Arthroscopic modifications of open techniques unique to the elbow, such as ulnohumeral arthroplasty, also are useful. As in other joints, the benefits of arthroscopic treatment of elbow arthritis may be temporary. Proper patient selection and attention to technical detail are critical in this population.     

Arthroscopic treatment of post-traumatic elbow stiffness

AIM: The treatment of post-traumatic elbow stiffness has seen many important changes over the years, particularly through the development of arthroscopy, greater knowledge of anatomy and improvements in operative techniques, that reduce the incidence of complications and facilitate postoperative recovery. In this study mid-term clinical results of arthroscopy for post-traumatic elbow stiffness are evaluated in 15 sporting patients, with an average age of 32 years. METHODS: Eight patients reported post-traumatic stiffness due to fracture of the radial head, 3 to fracture-dislocation, 1 to fracture of the radial diaphysis complicated by osteosynthesis, and the remaining 3 patients to stress syndromes with osteochondral detachment. Surgical treatment consists in debridement, arthroscopic capsular release, and removal of bone fragments by arthroscopy. Patients were followed up from 4 up to 36 months, with a mean follow-up time of 18 months. RESULTS: Results obtained have been good to excellent in 84% of cases with an average range in postoperative movement of 13 degrees-137 degrees and reduction in pain symptomatology. The statistic results obtained from this study, under the same conditions and with a confidence interval = 0.01, show that the treatment will have favorable outcomes in 63% of patients of entire population (0.6285相似文献   

Arthroscopic and open radial ulnohumeral ligament reconstruction for posterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow

Posterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow may be a cause of significant impairment of daily activities. The diagnosis is a clinical one, based on the history and physical examination. Imaging studies are often inconclusive because of the variable anatomy of the radio-ulnohumeral ligamentous complex. Surgical reconstruction by either open or arthroscopic means provides a satisfactory result in most patients.     

Arthroscopic treatment of anterolateral impingement of the ankle

We studied 31 patients (17 females, 14 males; average age, 34) with more than 2 years of followup who had chronic anterolateral ankle pain following inversion injury. All had failed to respond to at least 2 months of conservative treatment and had negative stress radiographs to rule out instability. On physical examination, tenderness was localized to the anterolateral corner of the talar dome. Magnetic resonance imaging was the most useful diagnostic screening test, showing synovial thickening consistent with impingement in the anterolateral gutter. At an average of 24 months after injury, all patients underwent ankle arthroscopy, which showed proliferative synovitis and fibrotic scar tissue in the lateral gutter, often with associated chondromalacia of the talus. Operative arthroscopic treatment consisted of partial synovectomy with debridement of scar tissue from the lateral gutter. Postoperatively, patients walked with crutches allowing weightbearing as tolerated. Average return to sports was 6 weeks. Histopathologic analysis performed on the resected tissue showed synovial changes consistent with chronic inflammation. Results of treatment after at least 2 year followup were 15 excellent, 11 good, 4 fair, and 1 poor. Since there are several distinct causes of chronic ankle pain, we prefer to call this problem "anterolateral impingement of the ankle" and believe the term "chronic sprain pain" should be discarded.     

Nonoperative treatment of ulnar collateral ligament injuries in throwing athletes

Ulnar collateral ligament injury of the elbow in throwing athletes is a common occurrence, and either operative or nonoperative treatment is an option. The results of operative repairs and reconstructions have been well documented in the literature; however, little information has been reported on the outcome of nonoperative treatment. From 1994 to 1997, we evaluated 31 throwing athletes with ulnar collateral ligament injuries. The purpose of this study was to determine what percentage of athletes could return to their sport without surgical intervention and to identify factors that would predict return to full competition by an athlete treated nonoperatively. The factors studied included acute versus insidious onset of symptoms, the duration of symptoms before treatment, and age. Nonoperative treatment, which included a minimum of 3 months' rest with rehabilitation exercises, allowed 42% of the athletes in our study (N = 13) to return to their previous level of competition. Those who did return did so at an average of 24.5 weeks after diagnosis. No predictive findings obtained either through the patient's history or physical examination were found that would assist the clinician or athlete in predicting the success of nonoperative treatment.     

Arthroscopic treatment of antirior synovitis of the ankle in athletes

In a retrospective study we analysed the results of arthroscopic treatment of anterior synovitis of the ankle in 35 athletes. Five athletes additionally suffered from anterior osteophytes, and three presented with an anterolateral plica. Their average age was 25 years (SD 8.3), and the follow-up interval was 32.4 months (SD 19.4). Eight patients suffered from additional hyperlaxity of the ankle joint. At the time of follow-up, the patients were examined clinically as well as radiologically. The results were scored according to an ankle index containing the criteria pain, function, athletic activity, walking aids, range of motion and swelling. During surgery a partial synovectomy was performed and removal of anterior osteophytes or anterolateral plica as necessary. The overall score increased non-significantly from 66.2 preoperatively to 78.7 postoperatively (P>0.05). Comparing the different criteria, the score parameter pain significantly increased after arthroscopy. All other parameters (function, athletic activity, walking aids, range of motion, swelling) showed only slight changes in this patient group. Athletes with a hypermobile joint showed worse results compared with the others. Even after surgery we documented severe restriction concerning athletic activity. Only 9 patients performed their activities at their previous level, 19 had reduced their activity level, and 7 had discontinued their athletic activity. In 6 cases we found temporary iatrogenic neurological damage. Regarding the uncertain clinical outcome and the documented high risk for neurovascular complication, patient selection for arthroscopic partial synovectomy in the athletic population should be extremely carefully performed. Prior to surgery all other conservative options including changes of running shoes as well as modifications in the exercise programme and athletic activiy should be taken into account.     

Posterior instability of the shoulder with secondary impingement in elite golfers

BACKGROUND: Shoulder injuries in golf are related to the biomechanics of the golf swing and typically occur in the lead arm at the top of the back swing. PURPOSE: We report a newly recognized entity in a series of elite golfers: posterior glenohumeral instability associated with subacromial impingement. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. METHODS: Eight elite golfers were treated between March 1991 and July 1998 for pain occurring in the nondominant, lead shoulder at the top of the back swing. Posterior instability was diagnosed in all eight patients; six of the eight also demonstrated signs of subacromial impingement. Initial treatment consisted of rehabilitation. For patients in whom rehabilitation failed, surgery was performed. RESULTS: Two patients improved with nonoperative treatment and returned to play immediately. Six patients underwent shoulder arthroscopy with posterior thermal capsulorrhaphy. Four of the six also underwent arthroscopic subacromial decompression. The six surgically treated patients returned to play at an average 4 months after surgery. At an average 4.5 years of follow-up, all eight patients were playing at their previous level of competitive play. One patient had complications that led to the need for subsequent arthroscopic subacromial decompression; she eventually returned to competitive play. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should be aware of posterior shoulder instability and the associated secondary diagnosis of rotator cuff impingement as a possible cause of shoulder pain in elite golfers.     

Arthroscopic treatment of impingement of the ankle reduces pain and enhances function

A consecutive series of 105 patients with a median age of 35 (16-62) years who were operated on with arthroscopic resection for impingement of the ankle using standardized technique without distraction is presented. All patients complained of painful dorsiflexion and had failed to respond to conservative treatment. A total of 177 diagnoses were found, soft tissue impingement or synovitis in 89, anterior bony impingement in 44, chondral lesion in 20, loose bodies in 16 and osteoarthritis in eight. At follow-up after 2 years, 65 patients were pain free while 28 patients had experienced reduction of pain. Gait was improved in 30/41 patients and 22 resumed sporting activities. The results were graded excellent in 67, good in 25, fair in six and poor in seven patients. There were four deep infections and one synovial fistula in this series. The deep infections all responded well to arthroscopic synovectomy and intravenous antibiotics. In one patient persistent symptoms were recorded. Ankle arthroscopy yielded good results in the treatment of anterior impingement of the ankle as it effectively reduced pain and enhanced function.     

Overhead throwing injuries of the shoulder and elbow

Injuries to the shoulder and elbow are common in athletes involved in sporting activities that require overhead motion of the arm. An understanding of the forces involved in the throwing motion, the anatomic structures most at risk, and the magnetic resonance imaging appearances of the most common associated injuries can help to improve diagnostic accuracy when interpreting imaging studies in these patients.     

Imaging of shoulder pain in overhead throwing athletes

Overhead sports are widely practiced around the world and overhead athletes can present with pain and dysfunction in the throwing shoulder, generally due to degenerative changes secondary to overuse. Numerous etiologies can be taken into account, including rotator cuff and glenoid labrum tears, biceps pathologies, internal impingement, and gleno-humeral instability. In this setting, imaging plays a central role in early diagnosis, thus allowing for a prompt management, correct rehabilitation, and quick return to competition. This review is aimed to discuss the role of imaging to diagnose the most common types of overhead-related shoulder injuries.     

Imaging of the painful shoulder in throwing athletes

A wide spectrum of abnormalities can affect the throwing shoulder. The injuries are often particular to a specific phase of the throw and are well demonstrated with MR imaging. In this article, the authors review the phases of the throw, MR imaging techniques, and the MR appearances of the injuries associated with particular phases.     

Anatomy and MR imaging appearances of synovial plicae of the knee.

Synovial plicae are normal anatomic structures of the knee that sometimes become symptomatic. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and MR arthrography are useful tools in the evaluation of synovial plicae and allow differentiation of these entities from other causes of knee pain. At MR imaging, synovial plicae appear as bands of low signal intensity within the high-signal-intensity joint fluid. Gradient-echo T2-weighted and fat-suppressed T2-weighted or proton density-weighted MR images are optimal for the evaluation of plicae. Plica syndrome, the painful impairment of knee function in which the only finding that helps explain the symptoms is the presence of a thickened and fibrotic plica, should be included in the differential diagnosis of internal derangement of the knee. A diffusely thickened synovial plica, perhaps associated with synovitis or erosion of the articular cartilage of the patella or femoral condyle, in a patient with no other significant MR imaging findings suggests the diagnosis of plica syndrome. Once the diagnosis has been made, nonsurgical treatment is preferable initially. Failure of the patient to improve with conservative treatment leaves arthroscopic excision of the pathologic plica as the treatment of choice.