Injuries to the elbow and forearm

Author(s):  
Cathy Speed

Elbow injuries in sport can affect any athlete in relation to trauma, but overuse injuries are seen most frequently in overhead/throwing athletes and gymnasts across a wide age spectrum. The consequences of such injuries can be serious and result in loss of time in training and competition. The close interplay between the shoulder and elbow as part of the kinetic chain is well illustrated by the fact that, in those recreational tennis players with a history of lateral epicondylitis, there is a 63% greater incidence of shoulder injury (...

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 759
Author(s):  
Byung Gon Kim ◽  
Seung Kil Lim ◽  
Sunga Kong

This study aims to assess the relationship between scapular upward rotation (SUR) across varying humeral-elevation angles (HEAs) and shoulder isokinetic strength and ratio in professional baseball pitchers. The subjects were professional baseball pitchers (n = 16) without a history of shoulder injury in the last six months. The subject’s SUR angles were measured with the humerus elevated at HEAs of 0° (at rest), 60°, 90°, and 120° to the scapular plane. Shoulder isokinetic strength was evaluated for shoulder internal rotation (IR) and external rotation (ER) strength (PT%BW and TW%BW), and the ER/IR strength ratios were determined at 60, 120 and 180°/s using an isokinetic dynamometer. The SUR angle at an HEA of 0° was positively correlated with IR strength at 120°/s (r = 0.535) and 180°/s (r = 0.522). The SUR angle at an HEA of 60° was negatively correlated with the ER/IR strength ratios at 60°/s (r = −0.505) and 120°/s (r = −0.500). The SUR angle at an HEA of 90° was negatively correlated with the ER/IR strength ratios at 60°/s (r = −0.574; r = −0.554) and 120°/s (r = −0.521; r = −0.589) as well as with ER strength at 180°/s (r = −0.591, r = −0.556). The SUR angle at an HEA of 120° was negatively correlated with ER strength at 60°/s (r = −0.558), 120°/s (r = −0.504; r = −0.524), and 180°/s (r = −0.543) and the ER/IR strength ratio at 60°/s (r = −0.517). In this study, we found that the ratio of isokinetic strength between ER and IR became closer to the normal range on increasing the SUR angle. In particular, an HEA of 90°, which resembles the pitching motion, showed a clear relationship between SUR, shoulder ER, and the ratio of ER/IR isokinetic strength in professional baseball pitchers.


2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (9) ◽  
pp. 611-615 ◽  
Author(s):  
Babette M Pluim ◽  
Benjamin Clarsen ◽  
Evert Verhagen

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine whether there is a difference in the prevalence of tennis injuries between the four most common court surfaces in the Netherlands, including hard court, clay, sand-fill artificial grass and red-sand-fill artificial grass. Natural grass was not included in this study.MethodsThis was a repeated cross-sectional study over 6 months, involving members of the Royal Netherlands Lawn Tennis Association (KNLTB). A monthly questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 20 000 KNLTB members, stratified by their club’s playing surface. The questionnaire included questions on court surface, tennis exposure and physical complaints, using the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre questionnaire on health problems.ResultsA total of 3656 (18%) of the 20 000 invited members completed at least one of the monthly questionnaires [mean age 49 years (15)]. A total of 4047 injuries were reported by 1957 respondents. Of these injuries, 3246 (80%) were overuse and 801 (20%) were acute. There were no statistically significant differences in injury prevalence between groups who played primarily on any one of the four court surfaces. However, players who played on multiple surfaces had a higher injury prevalence, particularly of overuse injuries, than those who primarily played on one court surface. Compared with the other court surfaces, there was a higher prevalence of lower limb overuse injuries when playing on hard court.ConclusionThere is no significant difference in the overall prevalence of injury on clay, hard court, sand-fill artificial grass and red-sand-fill artificial grass.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 232596711770770 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenichi Otoshi ◽  
Shinichi Kikuchi ◽  
Kinshi Kato ◽  
Ryohei Sato ◽  
Takahiro Igari ◽  
...  

Background: Traction apophysitis of medial epicondyle (MEC) lesions and osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the capitellum are common elbow injuries in adolescent baseball players. However, the age-specific prevalence of these pathologies and their influence on elbow pain remain unknown. Purpose: To investigate the age-specific prevalence of each MEC lesion and capitellar OCD and to identify the incidence of elbow pain in each condition. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: Study participants consisted of 4249 baseball players aged 6 to 17 years. A questionnaire was used to assess history of elbow pain, and morphological changes of the elbow joint were assessed using ultrasonography. Results: Regarding MEC lesions, fragmented (FG) and irregular (IR) lesions both reached their greatest respective prevalence at 11 to 12 years of age. After 14 years of age, IR decreased sharply, whereas FG was maintained at approximately 10%. Hypertrophic (HT) lesions increased sharply, reaching over 50% at 16 years of age, while there was a decrease in IR and FG lesions in the same age group. The prevalence of capitellar OCD remained the same (approximately 2%) throughout all ages except for in players aged 7 to 8 years (>7%). Players with MEC lesions had significantly greater prevalence of a history of elbow pain compared with those without (68.0% vs 39.1%) and were at a significantly greater risk for FG lesions (odds ratio [OR], 4.04; 95% CI, 3.16-5.22) compared with IR (OR, 3.22; 95% CI, 2.44-4.27) and HT lesions (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.75-2.36). Players with capitellar OCD also had a significantly greater risk of a history of elbow pain (OR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.40-4.11). Conclusion: Controlling the amount of practice and its intensity according to the condition of each player in the preadolescent and adolescent periods may be important in accelerating bony healing and decreasing preventable elbow pain in adulthood.


2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 647-653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann M. Cools ◽  
Tanneke Palmans ◽  
Fredrik R. Johansson

Context Tennis requires repetitive overhead movements that can lead to upper extremity injury. The scapula and the shoulder play a vital role in injury-free playing. Scapular dysfunction and glenohumeral changes in strength and range of motion (ROM) have been associated with shoulder injury in the overhead athlete. Objective To compare scapular position and strength and shoulder ROM and strength between Swedish elite tennis players of 3 age categories (<14, 14–16, and >16 years). Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Tennis training sports facilities. Patients or Other Participants Fifty-nine adolescent Swedish elite tennis players (ages 10–20 years) selected based on their national ranking. Main Outcome Measure(s) We used a clinical screening protocol with a digital inclinometer and a handheld dynamometer to measure scapular upward rotation at several angles of arm elevation, isometric scapular muscle strength, glenohumeral ROM, and isometric rotator cuff strength. Results Players older than 16 years showed less scapular upward rotation on the dominant side at 90° and 180° (P < .05). Although all absolute scapular muscle strength values increased with age, there was no change in the body-weight–normalized strength of the middle (P = .9) and lower (P = .81) trapezius or serratus anterior (P = .17). Glenohumeral internal-rotation ROM and total ROM tended to decrease, but this finding was not statistically significant (P = .052 and P = .06, respectively). Whereas normalized internal-rotator strength increased from 14 to 16 years to older than 16 years (P = .009), normalized external-rotator and supraspinatus strength remained unchanged. Conclusions Age-related changes in shoulder and scapular strength and ROM were apparent in elite adolescent tennis players. Future authors should examine the association of these adaptations with performance data and injury incidence.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Liang Li ◽  
Feng Ren ◽  
Julien S. Baker

A high proportion of shoulder injuries in table tennis players are common, which is both a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. An understanding of the interaction between biomechanical function of the shoulder and mechanisms of shoulder injuries in table tennis players is necessary to prevent injury and to conduct clinical treatment of the shoulder as soon as possible. The purpose of this minireview was to select the available evidence on the biomechanical characteristics of shoulder movement and potential relationships with various shoulder injuries that are common in table tennis players. Five studies revealed interesting biomechanical characteristics of shoulder movement patterns in table tennis players: large internal rotation torque, an increased torsion-rotation movement, and a greater angular velocity of internal rotation were found. Two studies were noted that were related to specific shoulder injury: glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD) and impingement syndrome. Unfortunately, it is difficult to draw conclusions on the mechanisms of shoulder injury in table tennis players due to the little evidence available that has investigated shoulder injury mechanisms based on biomechanical characteristics. Future studies should focus on the potential relationship between the biomechanical characteristics of the shoulder and injury prevalence to provide valuable reference data for clinical treatment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-88
Author(s):  
Luka Šlosar ◽  
Matej Plevnik ◽  
Uroš Marušič

Aim: The purpose of this pilot study was to quantify the effect of a continued active video games (AVG) playing on the tennis forehand and backhand technique development. Methods: Altogether 24 tennis players (7 – 9 year olds) were randomly divided in two different groups, both involved in a 12-week tennis training program (twice a week for an hour). The participants in the experimental group received an additional twice a week (20-minute) AVG Virtua Tennis 4 game intervention at the end of each regular tennis training hour, while the participants in the control group received no additional intervention. Pre- and post-AVG intervention, the Tennis Rating Score for Children scale (TRSC) was applied to detect tennis training-related changes that occur in each specific stroke. Results: Our results at the post-test show that participants in the experimental group did not significantly improved in one element (TRSC12; p = 0,317) in the forehand stroke and two (TRSC10; p = 0,157 and TRSC12 p = 0,157) in the backhand. The control group significantly improved in all the fifteen evaluated elements in both the forehand and backhand stroke. The experimental group had a higher effect size in all the kinetic chain section in both the forehand and backhand stroke compared to the control. The same happens for the TRSC7 (point of contact – height). Conclusion: Prolonged AVG playing seems to improve visual attentions skills (perception of a moving object) in young tennis players, giving them the opportunity to be able to prepare themselves for the oncoming ball sooner as compared to their control counterparts. From the other perspective, AVG were shown to negatively affect correct players positioning, especially at the beginning and at the end of a stroke. Keywords: exergames, tennis technique, visual attention skills


1989 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 324-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duane V. Knudson ◽  
Scott C. White

Two force sensing resistor force transducers were utilized to measure the forces on the hand of seven skilled tennis players performing the tennis forehand drive. Repeatable gripping force patterns were recorded for the subjects given the experimental protocol used for the study. The magnitude of the peak postimpact force on the hand was highly variable, ranging from 4 to 309 N, and was found to be related to high-frequency vibrations of the racket. There was less variability in the magnitude of preimpact gripping forces, indicating that the subjects utilized a consistent gripping pattern in preparation for impact. The large within- and between-subject variability of postimpact forces warrant further study in order to establish the range of loadings in tennis play that may be related to overuse injuries.


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S175-S176
Author(s):  
Connie Greiser ◽  
David Lorello ◽  
Dan Lyons ◽  
Karen J Richey ◽  
Derek Murray ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Burns crossing over a joint can result in a contracture of that joint. Axillary burns and subsequent contractures are common and may impact negatively on burn survivor rehabilitation. Positioning of burned extremities at the most lengthened position is ideal for maintenance of function and contracture prevention, 90 degrees of abduction is the most accepted position for axillary burn injuries. However, many activities of daily living require shoulder range of motion (ROM) greater than 90 degrees. The primary objective of this study was to describe and examine the incidence of paresthesia, pain, and intolerance in healthy subjects when the shoulder was placed in a position of 90 degrees or greater of shoulder abduction. Methods The subject’s nondominant upper extremity (NDE) was randomly placed in a series three of positions, including: (1) 90 degrees shoulder abduction, 30 degrees horizontal adduction with elbow extension, forearm neutral; (2) 130 degrees shoulder abduction, 30 degrees horizontal adduction, 30 degrees elbow flexion, forearm neutral; (3) 150 degrees shoulder abduction, 30 degrees horizontal adduction, 30 degrees elbow flexion, forearm neutral. Each position was maintained for a maximum of 2 hours. Subjects experiencing subjective symptoms including paresthesia lasting longer than 1 minute, pain rated greater than 3/10, and/or intolerance 2/5 was removed from the position. All subjects received at least 30 minutes of rest between positions. Results A total of 25 subjects were enrolled, mean age was 25.8 years, the majority were female (60%) and 20% had a history of NDE shoulder injury. The right arm was the dominant extremity (DE) in 88% of subjects. There were no significant differences in ROM between the DE and NDE extremity with the exception of external shoulder rotation, 94.96⁰ vs 84.8⁰ (p=.0142). Average total splint time was 136 minutes with a range of 40 – 360 minutes. Only 1 subject successfully completed all 3 splinting periods. There were 75 individual splinting events over the 3 splinting periods, and 90% of the time the splinting was stopped early. The most common reason for stopping early was paresthesia (88%) followed by pain (7%). Conclusions The positions selected represent the routine and usual care at our burn center. Patients are routinely positioned from hours to days depending on patient need. This study demonstrated that healthy subjects were unable to tolerate positioning for even two hours.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 1220-1225
Author(s):  
John Mayberry ◽  
Scott Mullen ◽  
Scott Murayama

Background: The incidence rate of elbow injuries has been rising in recent years among professional baseball pitchers. Determining valid screening procedures that allow practitioners to identify pitchers at an increased risk of such injuries is therefore of critical importance. Purpose: To validate the use of countermovement jump (CMJ) tests as a diagnostic tool for pitcher conditioning. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: More than 500 pitchers at a single professional baseball organization performed preseason CMJ assessments on a force plate before the 2013 to 2018 seasons. Three measurements were extracted from ground-reaction force data during the test: eccentric rate of force development (ERFD), average vertical concentric force (AVCF), and concentric vertical impulse (CVI). Athletic trainers at the organization collected detailed information on elbow and shoulder injury rates as well as workload (pitch count) throughout the rest of the season. Poisson regression models were fit to investigate the dependency of injury rates on CMJ test performance. Results: ERFD, CVI, and AVCF were all significant predictors of elbow injury risk after accounting for pitcher age, weight, and workload. The analysis identified 3 specific indicators of heightened risk based on the results of a CMJ scan: low ERFD, a combination of low AVCF and high CVI, and a combination of high AVCF and low CVI. In contrast, shoulder injury risk was roughly independent of all 3 CMJ test measurements. Conclusion: This study supports the hypothesis of the entire kinetic chain’s involvement in pitching by establishing a link between CMJ test performance and elbow injury risk in professional baseball pitchers. CMJ assessment may be a powerful addition to injury risk alert and prevention protocols. Pitchers in high-risk groups can be prescribed specific exercise plans to improve movement imbalances.


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