Clinical impact of elbow magnetic resonance imaging

The elbow and its articulations are subject tu tremendous forces during overhead sports. The elbow joint is vulnerable to a variety of injuries as a result of either acute traumatic events or chronic repetitive overuse. Elbow pathology in throwing athletes has been classified according to the mechanism of injury: medial tension overload, lateral compression, extension overload, and posterolateral rotatory instability. Given the complexity of these injuries, complete diagnosis and treatment requires a thorough evaluation of the elbow. This evaluation begins with a history and physical examination, an understanding of pathomechanics, and an assessment of normal and pathological anatomy. Imaging studies may be of assistance in defining this anatomy. The correlation of these imaging studies with clinical information is essential in the proper diagnosis and management of these complex injuries. This article presents the impact of elbow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the clinical diagnosis of the three most common elbow disorders for which MRI has diagnostic efficacy in the athlete.