PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Eygendaal, D AU - Safran, M R TI - Postero-medial elbow problems in the adult athlete AID - 10.1136/bjsm.2005.025437 DP - 2006 May 01 TA - British Journal of Sports Medicine PG - 430--434 VI - 40 IP - 5 4099 - http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/40/5/430.short 4100 - http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/40/5/430.full SO - Br J Sports Med2006 May 01; 40 AB - The ligamentous, osseous, musculotendinous, and neural structures at the postero-medial side of the elbow are at risk for various injuries in overhead athletes. The combination of valgus and extension overload during overhead activities results in tensile forces along the medial stabilising structures, with compression on the lateral compartment and shear stress posteriorly. The combination of tensile forces medially and shear forces posteriorly can result in ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tears, flexor–pronator mass injuries, neuritis of the ulnar nerve, posterior impingement, and olecranon stress fractures. Most symptomatic conditions of the overhead athlete can be treated conservatively initially. In cases where conservative treatment is unsuccessful surgical intervention is indicated. Recent advances in arthroscopic surgical techniques and ligamentous reconstruction ensure that the prognosis for return to pre-injury level is good.