Hi Dr. Kaul,
My 13 year-old son, who is a very competitive swimmer and table tennis player, has also diagnosed with OCD in his right elbow started June last year. The last year December MRI told that his joint was still intact with a piece of shadow and some effusion. He has stopped playing table tennis which is considered the one that likely caused the problem but been swimming kind of 'normally', which is considered might be even 'helpful'. Right now he is able to do almost everything but still feel the pain after big load of swimming practice or after a high level swimming competition.
I think it has been long enough since his problem started last June and the proble is still there. At this point Dr. Kaul, what do you think we should do? Keep going like this regardless the pain during any sports, and wait the joint to heal by itself, or better stop all the sports completely and wait to have a higher chance to heal?
I am going to schedule another X-ray or MRI to see if the conditions are still 'stable' or hopefully better, but for now I am guessing it may be about the same.
Looking forward to your opinions.
Thank you,
Xiaodong in Michigan
Hey Lori!
Though a lower threshold is usually considered for individuals in competitive sport, surgery may or may not be recommended based on the size of the loose body and symptoms. Since there are no major movement abnormalities, the size of the loose body is likely to be small and a surgical approach may not be required, though the situation and the management plan is best discussed with her treating orthopedician/ sports medicine specialist.
Hope this is helpful.
Take care!