Female Gymnast Elbow Case

Left triceps taped using MVT© with decompression strips over painful areas.

This is a sweet case I want to share with everyone. (I had the permission to share the case and this picture.)

15 year old female gymnast that trains 5-6 days a week roughly 3-4 hours a day (one heck of an athlete). Mentions left elbow pain upon movement (primarily full extension) and on pressure over outside of elbow.

Primary evaluation of the elbow displayed posterior radial head on palpation, some muscle weakness (supinator, wrist extensor group, and long head of triceps). No bruising or swelling noted. Cause of injury not stated therefore thought to be over use from the dynamic skills used in gymnastics.

Check out the a video displaying what skill I believe she injured it on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yb8VenVjMgI

Some soft tissue treatment was given. Stretches and exercises provided. Only one treatment was administered.

Long story short: Two weeks go by and patient is getting worse. Bruising starting to show, range of motion is now limited and is not able to extend at the elbow (AT ALL!) - stuck in 10 degrees of flexion.

Was referred for X-rays. Unfortunately referral was not administered for about another 2 weeks. Once imaging was taken, X-rays were found to be negative for fracture. Only 2 views were taken though, when elbow series was requested. (Patient had no treatment except for kinesiology taping for pain and reduction of swelling, which was helpful).

Due to some miscommunication MRI was delayed for about another 3-4 weeks. At this point patient is stuck at 90 flexion at the elbow. (Patient had no treatment except for kinesiology taping for pain and reduction of swelling, which was still helpful but not gaining any other results).

MRI taken and was found to be negative except for some swelling. Finally elbow series was taken. VERY RARE Radial head fracture was seen - needed special view.

Patient was assigned physical therapy where physical therapist used manual distraction, soft tissue techniques, and exercises to lengthen biceps and strengthen triceps.

Here the patient is finally at full extension with no pain except on palpation. No cast was used. Soft tissue techniques, exercises, and kinesiological tape using Muscle Vector Taping© technique.

Lesson learned:  All original manual diagnostic testing revealed no fracture presentation. Further evaluation called for a referral. DO NOT DELAY IN REFERRING or GETTING IMAGES. This patient had a difficult time getting the proper imaging done in time.  That being said, with proper diagnosis and confidence is applying the proper treatment the patient is on the way to full recovery. Kinesiology tape used correctly was able to reduce the pain of even a fracture, assist in recovery, and promoted better functional use of the patients elbow!

To learn more about Muscle Vector Taping© visit: https://www.facebook.com/musclevectortaping

"Motion is Life!" - Konrad Grzeszkowiak, DC