Outcomes following arthroscopic posteromedial osteophyte resection and risk of future ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction

Non-Medial Ulnar Collateral Ligament Elbow Pathology in the Thrower: Valgus Extension Overload, Osteochondritis Dissecans, Olecranon Stress Fracture, and Ulnar Nerve

Injury rates in baseball players reach as high as 5.8 per 1000 at the professional level. Recent data have singled out the elbow as the leading cause of injured list necessitating injuries and the costliest injury location in professional baseball. While the medial ulnar collateral ligament (MUCL) has gained the largest notoriety in this population, elbow injury in the thrower occurs as a spectrum of pathologies. These pathologies may encompass other injuries often resulting from or occurring in conjunction with MUCL insufficiency. These conditions include valgus extension overload syndrome, osteochondritis dissecans, olecranon stress fractures, and ulnar nerve pathology.

Outcomes and performance following posteromedial elbow débridement in Major League Baseball players

BACKGROUND

Overhead athletes are particularly susceptible to elbow valgus extension overload syndrome and development of pathologic changes in the posteromedial elbow. Though arthroscopic débridement/osteophyte resection is frequently performed, few studies have analyzed the outcomes of this procedure and none have specifically addressed professional level athletes.

HYPOTHESIS

We hypothesized that following posteromedial elbow débridement, Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers would exhibit a higher rate of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction than baseline incidence in the existing literature, along with a decline in pitching performance.

METHODS

Using publicly accessible websites, MLB athletes undergoing posteromedial elbow débridement from 2007 to 2022 were identified. Demographic information, procedure details, return to play (RTP) information, return to the disabled/injured list (DL/IL), subsequent UCL reconstruction, and pitching statistics were analyzed. Pitching performance metrics included earned runs average, walks plus hits per innings pitched, innings pitched, and fastball velocity.

RESULTS

A total of 39 MLB players, including 26 pitchers, were included. Within the first three seasons after surgery, 82.1% (n = 32) of players returned to play at the MLB level at a mean time of 176.1 ± 69 days. Pitchers exhibited a RTP rate of 76.9% (n = 20) at 175.8 ± 16 days. A total of 38.5% (n = 10) of pitchers returned to the DL/IL for elbow-related issues within three seasons. Subsequent UCL reconstruction was seen only in pitchers, with a frequency of 19.2% (n = 5). No statistically significant differences between single season preoperative/postoperative pitching metrics were identified. A small but significant (P < .05) decrease in fastball velocity (94.4 vs. 92.84; P = .02) was observed over a three-season comparison.

CONCLUSION

Contrary to our hypothesis, this study demonstrates that posteromedial elbow débridement is a viable surgery in MLB athletes, with RTP rate of 82.1% and no increase in rate of UCL reconstruction. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in single season preoperative and postoperative statistical pitching performance. However, over three years postoperatively, there was a 38.5% rate of return to the DL/IL for ongoing elbow ailment and a significant decrease in pitch velocity, raising some concern over the longevity of postoperative improvements.

Adaptive pathology: new insights into the physical examination and imaging of the thrower's shoulder and elbow

Throwing with high velocity requires extremes of glenohumeral external rotation of the abducted arm where particularly high forces in the shoulder and elbow are endured. Repeated throwing leads to dominant-arm bony remodeling of the humerus, glenoid, and elbow, and multiple soft tissue changes that would be considered abnormal. Many of these features are thought to be adaptive and protective. The purpose of this work is to (1) define the concept of adaptive pathology; (2) review the mechanics of the throwing motion; (3) review pertinent physical examination and imaging findings seen in asymptomatic throwers' shoulders and elbows and describe how these changes develop and may be adaptive-allowing the thrower to perform at high levels; and then (4) review the principles of surgical treatment in the throwing athletes, which should focus on reducing symptoms, but not necessarily restoring the thrower's anatomy to normal.

Elbow Arthroscopy for Posteromedial Impingement and Fixation of Olecranon Stress Fracture

Posteromedial elbow impingement due to valgus extension overload often develops as a result of excessive valgus and extension force during repetitive overhead throwing activities. Impingement classically occurs in throwing athletes such as baseball, tennis, softball, or lacrosse players. If isolated, arthroscopic removal of the posteromedial olecranon osteophytes shows excellent postoperative satisfaction, return to sport rates, and return to previous level of activity. This Technical Note describes treatment of posteromedial elbow impingement syndrome and associated olecranon stress fracture treated with arthroscopic removal of posteromedial osteophytes and arthroscopic-assisted screw fixation.

Posteromedial Osteophyte Resection in Baseball Players Undergoing Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction Has no Effect on Return to Play but Decreases Patient-Reported Satisfaction and Throwing Control

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to compare patient-reported outcomes and return to play (RTP) rates following ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR) in patients with and without posteromedial elbow impingement (PI) treated with concomitant arthroscopic posteromedial osteophyte resection.

Methods

Baseball players who underwent UCLR performed by the senior surgeon with minimum follow-up of 2 years were surveyed in this retrospective cohort study. Primary outcomes included Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic Shoulder and Elbow (KJOC) score, Andrews-Timmerman score, and RTP rate. Secondary outcomes included patient satisfaction scores.

Results

35 baseball players were included. Eighteen had no preoperative impingement (mean age: 19.06 ± 3.28 years), while 17 had PI treated with concomitant arthroscopic osteophyte resection (mean age: 20.06 ± 2.68 years). Following surgery, there was no difference in mean Andrews-Timmerman score (no impingement = 91.67 ± 8.04 vs PI = 92.06 ± 7.92, P = .89) nor KJOC score (no impingement = 83.36 ± 11.72 vs PI = 79.88 ± 12.35, P = .40), but there was a decreased mean KJOC throwing control sub-score in the PI group (7.65 ± 2.40 vs 9.11 ± 1.32, P = .04). There was no difference in RTP rate between the groups (no impingement = 72.22%, PI = 94.12%, χ² = 1.28; P = .26). There was significantly higher mean satisfaction score in the no impingement group (96.67 ± 4.58 vs 90.12 ± 11.91; P = .04), and those patients were also more likely to pursue surgical treatment again (94.44% vs 52.94%, χ² = 7.88; P = .005).

Conclusions

There was no difference in RTP rate following ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction in baseball players with and without posteromedial impingement treated with arthroscopic resection. Outcomes on the KJOC and Andrews-Timmerman scores were good to excellent in both groups. Players in the posteromedial impingement group were less satisfied with their outcome, however, and less likely to elect for surgery if they were to sustain the injury again. Additionally, players in the posteromedial impingement group were found to have decreased throwing control on the KJOC questionnaire, which may suggest that the presence of posteromedial osteophytes represent adaptive changes to stabilize the elbow while throwing.

Level of Evidence

Level III, retrospective cohort study.