Osseous manifestations of elbow stress associated with sports activities.

The radiographic manifestations of musculoskeletal stress at the elbow associated with racket and throwing sports are reported in 29 symptomatic amateur, juvenile, and professional athletes. Five major categories of stress are identified: diffuse, humeral shaft, medial tension, lateral compression, and extension stress. The osseous changes produced by these stresses include bony hypertrophy, loose bodies, traction spur formation, osteochondral and humeral shaft fractures in the adult, and epiphyseal and apophyseal hypermaturity or avulsion in the youngster.