- [Home](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en) - [Conditions](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions) - Panner's Disease: Elbow Pain in Young Athletes Trauma & Sports # Panner's Disease: Elbow Pain in Young Athletes Elbow pain after gymnastics or throwing: Panner's disease is an osteochondritis typical of ages 5-10. Updated: March 2026 · Medically reviewed by [Dr. Daniele Priano](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/about) ## Quick Answers What is the difference between Panner's and osteochondritis dissecans? + Panner disease more diffusely affects the capitellar ossification centre and is typical of younger children; OCD is more focal and more frequent in older children. Age is a clue, not an absolute diagnostic threshold: examination and imaging define the condition, with MRI when needed. Does it heal completely? + In most cases yes: the humeral capitellum tends to reconstitute over 1-2 years and the elbow regains a complete or near-complete range of motion. The key element is rest from the causative sport during the active phase, with clinical follow-up until resolution. [See all 4 questions →](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions/panners-disease#faqs) A 7-8 year old gymnast who starts complaining of elbow pain and can no longer fully straighten the arm: this is the typical presentation of **Panner's disease**. It's an osteochondritis of the humeral capitellum — the lateral part of the lower end of the humerus that forms the elbow joint. It affects children aged **5 to 10**, especially those in sports that repeatedly load the elbow: artistic gymnastics (handstands, parallel bars), throwing sports (baseball, javelin), and sometimes swimming. The mechanism is similar to Köhler's disease in the foot: a temporary vascular insufficiency of the ossification center, which on X-ray appears fragmented or sclerotic — an image that can worry parents, but one that carries a **generally favourable prognosis**. In most cases the capitellum reconstitutes over 1-2 years and the elbow regains a complete or near-complete range of motion. The most important distinction is with **osteochondritis dissecans (OCD)** of the elbow, which is more typical of older children, although age alone does not distinguish the diagnoses and has a very different prognosis: it can cause detachment of a loose fragment and require surgery. In Panner's disease surgery is rarely needed: treatment is usually rest from the causative activity and gentle maintenance of range of motion. ## Assessment and treatment ### When to seek evaluation - Elbow pain during or after sports - Limited full elbow extension - Tenderness at the lateral capitellum - Elbow swelling - Pain in a young gymnast or thrower ### What is evaluated - Elbow range of motion assessment - Capitellum palpation - Elbow X-ray (fragmentation/sclerosis of the capitellum) - Differential diagnosis with adolescent osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) - MRI in selected cases ### Treatment options - Rest from causative sports activity - Elbow brace for comfort if needed - Gentle range-of-motion exercises - Alternative sports that don't load the elbow - Gradual return to sports after symptom resolution ## Frequently Asked Questions What is the difference between Panner's and osteochondritis dissecans? ▼ Panner disease more diffusely affects the capitellar ossification centre and is typical of younger children; OCD is more focal and more frequent in older children. Age is a clue, not an absolute diagnostic threshold: examination and imaging define the condition, with MRI when needed. Does it heal completely? ▼ In most cases yes: the humeral capitellum tends to reconstitute over 1-2 years and the elbow regains a complete or near-complete range of motion. The key element is rest from the causative sport during the active phase, with clinical follow-up until resolution. Will my child be able to continue gymnastics? ▼ Return is decided after clinical and radiographic reassessment, considering pain, movement and function. Unapproved elbow loading is avoided during healing; one timetable does not fit everyone. Swimming also loads the upper limb and is not an automatically permitted alternative. Is surgery ever needed? ▼ The typical form of Panner's disease is treated conservatively: rest, maintenance of range of motion and gradual return to sport. If surgery appears necessary, this calls for re-assessment of the diagnosis or of associated lesions — surgery may be needed for adolescent osteochondritis dissecans. ## Other Juvenile Osteochondroses Osteochondroses are a family of growth-related conditions. Learn about the others: [🦵 Osgood-Schlatter (Knee)](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions/osgood-schlatter-disease)[🦶 Sever (Heel)](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions/severs-disease)[🦵 Sinding-Larsen (Kneecap)](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions/sinding-larsen-johansson-syndrome)[🦶 Köhler (Foot)](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions/kohlers-disease)[🦶 Freiberg (Forefoot)](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions/freibergs-disease)[🦶 Iselin (Outer foot)](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions/iselins-disease) [Complete guide to juvenile osteochondroses →](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions/juvenile-osteochondrosis) **Important Notice:** The information on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Each clinical case is unique: the appropriate treatment is determined during the specialist consultation, based on a thorough clinical examination and, where necessary, diagnostic imaging. For any doubts or concerns, please consult a specialist. ## Complete pathway on osteochondroses and apophysitis in sport This page is part of the pathway on osteochondroses and apophysitis in growing children. - [7 Panner’s disease (elbow) · you are here Involves the humeral capitellum in children aged 5-10, typically gymnasts and throwers. It must be distinguished from adolescent osteochondritis dissecans of the elbow, which has a different pathway and prognosis.](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions/panners-disease) [Exercise sheet: Panner’s disease](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/parents-kids/exercises/post-cast/panner-exercises) - [1 Osteochondroses and apophysitis: overview](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions/juvenile-osteochondrosis) - [2 Overload pain in the young athlete](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions/heel-pain-apophysitis) Adjacent clinical pictures: [Osteochondritis dissecans of the knee](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions/osteochondritis-dissecans-knee) ## Learn more [All conditions](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions)[Medical glossary](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/glossary) --- Canonical: https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions/panners-disease Le informazioni cliniche sono divulgative e non sostituiscono una valutazione medica diretta.