Disclosures: Eric Y. Chang, MD: No financial relationships or conflicts of interest
Edward J. Chang: No financial relationships or conflicts of interest

Case Diagnosis: Early Degenerative Joint Disease of the Elbow

Case Description: A 24-year-old male fighter sustained a hyperextension elbow injury after a kick that caused hyperextension. He developed right elbow effusion, tenderness at the olecranon and antecubital fossa, and decreased range of motion. A 36-year-old male fighter developed painful left elbow locking for 7 days, tender effusion in the anterior elbow and decreased range of motion while training. A 35-year-old male fighter sustained a right elbow hyperextension injury while training and developed painful elbow locking. A 28-year-old male fighter presented with bilateral elbow pain and stiffness, with limited range of motion worse on right side than left. A 32-year-old male fighter landed on his left elbow during a fight, which led to increased pressure, painful catching and restricted range of motion.

Setting: Outpatient orthopedic surgery centerAssessment/

Results: Plain radiographs and CT scan imaging indicated the presence of bony spurs, loose bodies and osteophytes. When conservative methods such as steroid injections and viscosupplementation failed, elbow arthroscopies were performed to remove loose bodies.

Discussion: Considered a rare condition in patients younger than 40, early Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) is an important differential diagnosis of elbow pain that should be considered for individuals who often have repetitive trauma to the area such as those performing mixed martial arts (MMA). Patients commonly present with loss of elbow extension and catching or clicking of the joint. While the exact mechanism is unclear, early DJD in these individual’s elbows is thought to be related to both acute elbow trauma in conjunction with consistent, cumulative damage associated with MMA activity. Nicknamed “Cauliflower Elbow,” early DJD should be distinguished from other causes of elbow arthritis.

Conclusion: As demonstrated by this 5-case series study, diagnosis and consideration of early DJD in the differential of elbow arthritis is key for a quicker, successful outcome and prevention of arthritic complications.

Level of Evidence: Level IV

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PM&R Meeting Abstracts - https://pmrjabstracts.org/abstract/early-degenerative-joint-disease-of-the-elbow-in-professional-fighting-a-case-series/