Posterior Impingement Syndrome

What is Posterior Impingement Syndrome?

Elbow Posterior Impingement Syndrome, otherwise known as “valgus extension overload syndrome”(VEOS), is a condition that is common in overhead throwing athletes. This is due to the medial collateral ligament often being challenged.

The cause of this injury is mainly from repetitive microtrauma of elbow overuse, which can affect the tendons, ligaments and bones around the elbow joint.

Elbow Posterior Impingement Syndrome can be classified into two types of impingement:

1. Posteromedial Impingement Syndrome: This is an arthritic impingement between the posteromedial (back and inside) joint surfaces of the olecranon and trochlea (bony landmarks on the humerus). This class of Elbow Posterior Impingement Syndrome is most often present in professional javelin and hammer throwers.

2. Posterolateral Impingement Syndrome: This is an arthritic impingement between the posterolateral (back and outside) joint surfaces of the olecranon and trochlea (bony landmarks on the humerus). This class of Elbow Posterior Impingement Syndrome is most often present in boxers or fencers.

The radio capitellar joint stabilises the elbow during valgus loading. Repetitive compressive forces to the radio capitellar joint can result in excessive radial head abutment against the capitellum (Where the capitellum (the round prominence at the elbow end of the humerus) is resting upon the radial head too much).

Patients may feel tenderness, medial elbow instability and possibly pain along the elbow joint line and posteromedial tip of the olecranon process. Elbow extension range of motion may be reduced from elbow flexor muscles guarding. Other symptoms may include pain and tenderness at the elbow, joint stiffness, locking and catching of the elbow, abnormal popping or crackling sound, joint effusion (abnormal fluid build-up), swelling and bruising of the elbow.

Here at Precision Health we offer services such as Chiropractic care which can aid in your recovery from Posterior impingement Syndrome. Call (02) 9639 7337 or visit our website to book an appointment now!

Kheterpal, A. B. and M. A. Bredella (2019). Overuse Injuries of the Elbow. Radiologic Clinics of North America 57(5): 931-942.

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