Elbow Injuries in Baseball Players: An Orthopedic Perspective

Document Type : EDITORIAL

Authors

Orlando Health Orthopedic Institute, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A

Abstract

The management of elbow injuries in baseball 
players, especially pitchers, represents a 
multifaceted challenge for orthopedic surgeons and 
demands a comprehensive understanding of the 
biomechanics, preventive measures, treatment modalities, 
and long-term outcomes associated with these injuries. 
The elbow of professional baseball pitchers is subjected to 
forces that could potentially lead to a spectrum of adaptive 
or pathological changes.1 Awareness of the asymptomatic 
adaptive changes that may be present, such as ulnar 
collateral ligament (UCL) anterior band thickening2 and 
ulnotrochlear and/or capitellar subchondral sclerosis,3 is 
crucial in correctly diagnosing and treating the injuries.4
As an orthopedic surgeon specializing in not only sports 
medicine but also baseball medicine, I navigate the intricate 
landscape of evidence-based medicine to identify causative 
injury factors, integrate prevention strategies, and 
formulate athlete-specific treatment options to ultimately 
optimize and streamline orthopedic care to decrease time 
out of play and increase success to obtain high-quality 
outcomes when treating elbow injuries, especially in 
baseball players.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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The Archives of Bone and Joint Surgery
Volume 12, Issue 11
November 2024
Pages 742-745

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History

  • Receive Date: 27 September 2024
  • Revise Date: 17 October 2024
  • Accept Date: 03 October 2024

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