Elbow MRI Abnormalities Progressive in Youth Baseball

Eighty percent of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) abnormalities in Little League Baseball players were either progressive or new during a three-year assessment, according to a new study (“Progressive Elbow Magnetic Resonance Imaging Abnormalities in Little League Baseball Players Are Common: A 3-Year Longitudinal Evaluation”) published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine in December 2019.

Overuse injuries have been linked to sports specialization in many studies. In this prospective study, 26 Little League players between the ages of 12 and 15 years of age had preseason and postseasons bilateral elbow MRI taken three years prior to the beginning of the study. During the study, they underwent a repeat bilateral elbow MRI along with a physical examination. The researchers compared the MRI findings and also took into consideration throwing history, playing status and arm pain.

According to the researchers, the data showed that 58% (15 of the 26) of the players had dominant arm MRI pathology at the end of the study. In addition, players with postseason MRI pathology at the beginning of the study were more likely to have it at the three-year follow-up. Also, year-round play was a significant predictor of tenderness to elbow palpitation (p = .027) and positive MRI findings at three years (p = .047). Also, at the three-year follow-up, 7 of the 26 players reported experiencing throwing elbow pain and 3 of the players needed casting.

The researchers also observed differences in the dominant arm’s internal and external rotation in the athletes who continued playing (p < .05).

The authors wrote, “Dominant elbow MRI abnormalities are common in competitive Little League Baseball players. Year-round play imparts significant risk for progression of MRI pathology and physical examination abnormalities.”