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. 2025 Mar 3;5(2):26350254241291590.
doi: 10.1177/26350254241291590. eCollection 2025 Mar-Apr.

Evaluation of the Elbow in Throwing Athletes

Paul J Pottanat  1 , Cody Ashy  1 , Robert J Reis  1 , Evan P Bailey  1 , Richard J Friedman  1 , Brandon L Rogalski  1 , Josef K Eichinger  1
Affiliations

Evaluation of the Elbow in Throwing Athletes

Paul J Pottanat et al. Video J Sports Med. .

Abstract

Background: Elbow injuries are becoming increasingly prevalent in throwing athletes. Early diagnosis, especially in athletes, can allow for earlier intervention and return to play. It is important for clinicians to have a framework to systemically examine the elbow to accurately diagnose a variety of elbow pathologies in this unique patient population.

Indications: The purpose of this video is to educate clinicians on how to diagnose a variety of elbow pathologies in the throwing athlete. Currently, there is no published video describing the evaluation of the elbow in throwing athletes with associated reliability measures for specific examination maneuvers. This video teaches how to perform these examination maneuvers, interpret their findings, and review reliability measures associated with them.

Technique description: This video provides an overview of the physical examination of the elbow in throwing athletes, including evaluation of range of motion, neurologic pathology, and special examination maneuvers depending on the location at the elbow.

Results: The discussed tools for evaluation can aid in accurate diagnosis of a variety of elbow pathologies. There is variability among physical maneuvers regarding their reliability measures, with many maneuvers having reliability measures that have not been fully studied.

Discussion/conclusion: Using a detailed history and focused physical examination, a variety of elbow pathologies can be diagnosed. Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for early intervention for both nonoperative and operative management, allowing for earlier return to competition.

Patient consent disclosure statement: The author(s) attests that consent has been obtained from any patient(s) appearing in this publication. If the individual may be identifiable, the author(s) has included a statement of release or other written form of approval from the patient(s) with this submission for publication.

Keywords: MCL; elbow; physical examination; throwing athlete; ulnar nerve.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declared that they have no conflicts of interest in the authorship and publication of this contribution. AOSSM checks author disclosures against the Open Payments Database (OPD). AOSSM has not conducted an independent investigation on the OPD and disclaims any liability or responsibility relating thereto.

Figures

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