The Elbow in Sport

Todd Ellenbecker, MS, PT, SCS, CSCS, is the clinic director at the Physiotherapy Associates Sports Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. He is certified by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) as a sports clinical specialist, one of a limited number in the United States. This distinction requires five years of sports medicine experience and successful completion of an extensive written exam. He has treated elbow injuries in many professional baseball players and elite tennis players, having worked with the Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland A's, San Francisco Giants, and the United States Tennis Association. A member of the APTA and the American College of Sports Medicine, Ellenbecker has published many articles and research studies pertaining to the upper extremity in baseball and tennis players. He earned a bachelor's degree in physical therapy from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse and a master's degree in exercise physiology from Arizona State University. Angelo J. Mattalino, MD, is an orthopaedic surgeon with the Southwest Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. He is an orthopaedic consultant to several professional baseball teams and the medical director of Major League Baseball's Arizona Fall League. He also works with the United States rugby, ski, and soccer teams; the Association of Tennis Professionals; and numerous high school teams. Dr. Mattalino, who earned a medical degree from the University of Texas, is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the Arthroscopy Board of North America. Following his orthopaedic surgical residency at Tulane Medical School, he completed fellowships in sports injuries and arthroscopy.

Chapter 1. Anatomy and Biomechanics of the Elbow-Arthrology/Osteology-Capsuloligamentous Structures-Neural Anatomy-Muscles -Muscular Activity Patterns -Joint Kinematics and KineticsChapter 2. Etiology of Overuse Elbow Injuries and Anatomical Adaptations in Athletes-Humeral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)-Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury-Ulnar Nerve Injury (Neuritis)-Osteochondral Injuries (Osteophytes/Loose Bodies)-Growth Plate Injury-Anatomical Adaptations of the Elbow in Unilaterally Dominant AthletesChapter 3. Diagnostic Tests for the Elbow-Radiographs-Stress Radiographs-Contrast Arthrography-Computed Tomography-Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)-Differential DiagnosisChapter 4. Clinical Evaluation of the Elbow-Subjective History -Observation/Inspection-Palpation-Related/Referral Joints (Cervical Spine and Glenohumeral Joint)-Range of Motion-Accessory Movements-Muscular Strength Testing-Neurological Exam -Special Tests for Examination of the ElbowChapter 5. Rehabilitation Concepts for the Elbow-Regaining Range of Motion-Isokinetics-The Total Arm Strength Concept-The Kinetic Link PrincipleChapter 6. Treatment and Rehabilitation of Overuse Elbow Injuries-Immediate Management-Humeral (Lateral and Medial) Epicondylitis-Osteochondral Injury (Removal of Loose Bodies/Debridement)-Ulnar Nerve Dysfunction (Neuritis)-Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury -Growth Plate InjuryChapter 7. Case Presentations-Lateral Epicondylitis-Status Post-Arthroscopic Elbow Debridement-Rehabilitation Following Ulnar Nerve Transposition -Status Post-Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction Using Autogenous Graft-Status Post-Open Reduction Internal Fixation Medial Epicondylar Growth PlateAppendix A. Postoperative Protocols-Humeral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)-Elbow Arthroscopy and Removal of Loose Bodies -Ulnar Nerve Transposition-Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction Using Autogenous Graft (Seto et al., 1991)-Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction Using Autogenous Graft (Wilk et al., 1995)Appendix B. Interval Return Programs-Tennis-Throwing for Baseball Players-GolfAppendix C. 100-Point Classification System for Clinical Outcomes