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Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2005; 09(4): 316-333
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-923377
Copyright © 2005 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Imaging of the Overhead Throwing Athlete

Hugue Ouellette1 , Ara Kassarjian1 , Patrice Tretreault2 , William Palmer1
  • 1Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
  • 2CHUM-Hôpital Notre-Dame, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Publication History

Publication Date:
29 November 2005 (online)

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Imaging of the Overhead Throwing AthleteSemin Musculoskelet Radiol 2007; 11(01): 091-091
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-984733

ABSTRACT

Knowledge of overhead throwing biomechanics is crucial to understand specific injuries encountered in throwing athletes on diagnostic imaging. Most specific injuries of overhead throwing athletes occur at the shoulder and elbow. Throwing athletes are susceptible to rotator cuff tears from tensile overload and external and internal impingement. The labrum is also commonly degenerated or torn secondary to overuse syndrome, internal impingement, and microtrauma. The elbow is typically injured secondary to excessive valgus forces during throwing. The ulnar collateral ligament, ulnar nerve, and common flexor tendon origin are all at increased risk of injury. Capitellar osteochondral injuries and loose intra-articular bodies are also frequent. Knowledge of injury pathophysiology is crucial to understanding the treatment rationale in throwing athletes.

KEYWORDS

Throwing - biomechanics - imaging - shoulder - elbow - magnetic resonance

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Hugue OuelletteM.D. F.R.C.P.C. 

Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital

Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Yawkey 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02114

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