Nonoperative Management of Medial Elbow Injuries in the Throwing Athlete

The goal of this paper is to summarize the evidence-based strategies for diagnosing medial elbow pathology in throwers, specifically focusing on history, physical exam, and imaging. Similarly, an evidence-based approach to managing these injuries will be covered. Cutting edge strategies for injury prevention are also discussed.

Many of the medial elbow injuries in throwers occur concomitantly. The rehabilitation of these injuries requires appropriate rest, comprehensive kinetic chain optimization, monitored workload during the interval throwing program and while in competition. Injury prevention exercise strategies demonstrate promise for reducing the prevalence of arm injuries in throwing athletes.

Medial elbow pathology prevalence for throwing athletes can be reduced through load management and whole-body maintenance exercises. Future research will need to focus on effective strategies for injury prevention. Nonoperative research will need to better characterize effectiveness of evidence-based rehabilitation protocols, interval throwing programs, and return to participation times for each diagnosis.