Abstract

SALLES BETANCOURT, C Guido Roman et al. Surgical treatment of valgus extension overload syndrome in athletes. Rev Cubana Ortop Traumatol [online]. 2014, vol.28, n.1, pp. 70-82. ISSN 0864-215X.

Introduction: valgus extension overload (posteromedial shock) is a type of injure that is relatively frequent in throwing athletes and may require surgical procedures to be performed so that the athlete can keep on competing. Objective: To early diagnose and adequately treat the valgus extension overload syndrome in athletes. Methods: a prospective, longitudinal and intervention study was conducted in high performance athletes operated on for valgus extension overload syndrome. The sample was made up of 8 male athletes aged 26 years as average (range of 22 to 29 years), who practiced baseball (five pitchers and one outfielder), weightlifting (one) and javelin throw (one). The minimal follow-up was 6 months and the maximum was 4 years, for a mean of 2.3 years. Results: eight patients were operated on, four of them presented with neuropathy from compressed cubital nerve at the elbow; four underwent transfer of their cubital nerve, two subcutaneous and two with a pulley with flexor pronator fascia. The most observed complication was pain relapse due to medial collateral ligament insufficiency in one patient. The functional results according to Conway's scale were excellent in 5 patients, good in two and unsatisfactory in just one patient. Conclusions: repeated stress, insufficiency in flexor pronators and in the medial collateral ligament were the causes that unleash the valgus extension overload syndrome. The surgical procedure helps most of the athletes to come back to their normal sports activity.

Keywords : valgus extension overload; posteromedial shock of the elbow; pitching elbow.

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