Investigation of Results of the Baseball Elbow Examination and Future Prospects

Abstract

[Purpose] This study examined whether the physical findings of the baseball elbow examination are useful for detecting osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). [Participants and Methods] The subjects were elementary school 4th, 5th, and 6th graders, the age at which OCD is likely to develop. Junior high school first graders were also allowed to participate, if they desired. [Results] The number of athletes diagnosed as having OCD in this examination was 8 out of 297 subjects, about 2.7% of the total. Significant differences were found between the OCD group and the non-OCD group in terms of current findings, current pain, tenderness, flexion restriction of the elbow joint, and ultrasonic examination. [Conclusion] Repeated excessive stress on the humerus small foot appears to trigger structural change in the arm joint, inducing structural restriction of the elbow joint and pain. In addition, ultrasonic examination can only detect early lesions which cannot be detected by X-ray examination, and release of the cartilage layer, and the like.