VIDEO: Understand clicking, catching or snapping in the athlete’s elbow

ByChristopher S. Ahmad, MD

ByKristine Houck, MA, ELS

Fact checked byGina Brockenbrough, MA

Key takeaways:

There are five main reasons a throwing athlete may experience a clicking, catching or snaping sensation in the elbow.
Ahmad explained these symptoms and outlined potential treatment options.

In this video from Orthopedics Today Hawaii, Christopher S. Ahmad, MD, discussed five reasons an athlete may report clicking, catching or snaping in the throwing elbow and how to treat these issues.

Ahmad outlined the following five potential explanations for these symptoms:

A loose piece of cartilage in the elbow may result in catching and can be removed arthroscopically.
Osteochondritis dissecans can indicate a mechanically unstable lesion and may result in catching.
Posterolateral rotator instability may result in a clicking sensation and usually requires operative treatment.
A subluxated ulnar nerve that “jumps” over the epicondyle may cause clicking and can treated with nerve transposition and stabilization.
A medial head of the triceps that “jumps” over the epicondyle can result in snapping and often requires operative treatment.

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Sources/Disclosures

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Source:

Ahmad CS. What makes the elbow click, catch or snap? Presented at: Orthopedics Today Hawaii; Jan. 7-11, 2024; Wailea, Hawaii.

Disclosures: Ahmad reports no relevant financial disclosures.

Orthopedics Today Hawaii

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VIDEO: Understand clicking, catching or snapping in the athlete’s elbow

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