title: Boxer's elbow: internal impingement of the coronoid and olecranon process. A report of seven cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Boxer's elbow has been described in the literature as an extension and hyperextension injury. However, in our experience, there is a coexisting impingement lesion in the anterior compartment of the elbow that has not previously been described. We report a series of professional boxers with elbow disease treated arthroscopically. The aim of the paper was to accurately describe the pathoanatomy of the condition, the key points in its diagnosis, and the outcomes of surgical treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven professional boxers were treated for symptomatic elbow disease. Clinical evaluation included range of motion and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score. The arthroscopic findings and procedures were documented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Symptoms were mainly those of anterior and posterior impingement; 6 elbows had an anterior impingement lesion and 6 had a posterior impingement lesion. Postoperatively, the mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score was 2.7 (range, 0-13.3) at a median of 15 (range, 6-36) months postoperatively. All boxers returned to their previous level of competition and 5 won their next bout. All of the boxers used an orthodox stance, and in all but 1 case the left elbow was the pathologic elbow.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Boxers are prone to development of anterior and posterior elbow impingement. The side of the pathologic process is related to the boxer's stance, with the lead arm being more vulnerable. Arthroscopic débridement is an effective treatment, enabling return to a high competitive level. Surgeons, sports medicine physicians, and physiotherapists should be aware of the condition.
authors.affiliation: Upper Limb Unit, Wrightington Hospital, Wigan, Lancashire, UK. Electronic address: paulrobinson79@doctors.org.uk.
authors.forename: Paul M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sport Exercise and Health, London, UK.
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Loosemore
authors.affiliation: Upper Limb Unit, Wrightington Hospital, Wigan, Lancashire, UK.
authors.forename: Adam C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Watts
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods*; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D056740:Olecranon Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000092464:Elbow Injuries
keywords: Boxer's elbow; arthroscopy; boxing; elbow; impingement; sport