Prevalence of Capitellar Osteochondritis Dissecans and Medial Epicondylar Abnormalities in Female Youth Baseball Players: A Large-Scale Ultrasonographic Screening Study.

BACKGROUND

Capitellar osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) and medial epicondylar apophyseal abnormalities are recognized throwing-related elbow injuries in youth baseball. However, most epidemiological data have been derived from male athletes and the prevalence of these conditions among female youth baseball players has not been well characterized.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of capitellar OCD and medial epicondylar abnormalities among female youth baseball players using large-scale ultrasonographic screening data and to compare these findings with those of male players.

STUDY

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

The authors analyzed a prospectively collected regional screening database of 13,483 youth baseball players (13,130 male, 353 female) collected between 2014 and 2025. Standardized field-based ultrasonography was used to assess the capitellum and medial epicondyle. Player position and arm dominance were recorded. Sex-based prevalence and position-related differences (female subgroup) were compared using prespecified tests.

RESULTS

Capitellar OCD was identified in 2.4% of male players (313/13,130) and 0.57% of females (2/353), showing no significant sex-based difference (P = .09). The prevalence of medial epicondylar abnormalities was 24.0% in male players (3147/13,130) and 16.4% in female players (58/353; P < .001). In female athletes, all cases involved the dominant arm, and prevalence was higher among pitchers/catchers (28.9%) than among infielders/outfielders (11.6%) (P < .01).

CONCLUSION

Capitellar OCD was observed in female youth baseball players, with no significant difference in prevalence compared with male players. Medial epicondylar abnormalities occurred at a lower rate in female players, but were still observed, particularly among pitchers and catchers and exclusively in the dominant throwing arm. These findings indicate that female athletes are also at risk for throwing-related elbow conditions and support the inclusion of female players in routine screening and workload management programs.