Affiliations: [a] Department of Tokyo-Judo Therapy, Faculty of the Medical Sciences, Teikyo University of Science, 2-2-1 Senju Sakuragi, Adachi-ku, Tokyo, Japan | [b] Department of Inorganic Materials, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 2-3-10 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan | [c] Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kawakita General Hospital, 1-7-3 Asagaya-kita, Suginami, Tokyo, Japan
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Soichiro Itoh, Department of Inorganic Materials, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 2-3-10 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan. Tel.: +81 3 5280 8016; Fax: +81 3 5280 8125; E-mail: itoso.gene@gmail.com
Abstract: OBJECTIVE:We conducted ultrasonography (US) examination for asymptomatic elbow injuries in judo athletes to confirm availability of US screening for elbow. MATERIALS AND METHODS:One hundred and thirty-two black belts in judo (85 males and 47 females; mean age, 20.0 ± 1.6 years) participated in this screening. Forty-eight participants had a history of elbow injury (elbow-injury group), and 84 did not (no-elbow-injury group). All participants completed a survey in the form of a questionnaire. Subsequently, US scanning of both elbows was performed. RESULTS:The maximal thickness of the medial collateral ligament of both elbows was significantly larger in the elbow-injury group than in the no-elbow-injury group. The width of the joint space was significantly larger in the right radiohumeral joint in the elbow-injury group than in the no-elbow-injury group. Combination injuries involving ligament and bone and those involving both the medial and lateral collateral ligaments were most commonly seen in both elbows in the elbow-injury group; however, these combined lesions of both elbows were also found in the no-elbow-injury group. CONCLUSIONS:Because US screening can reveal abnormalities of the asymptomatic elbow, US is recommended as a complementary imaging modality that is useful for evaluation of elbow injuries in athletes.
