Trauma & Sports

Panner's Disease: Elbow Pain in Young Athletes

Name: Panner's Disease Children Milan: Elbow Pain, Diagnosis and Treatment
Creator: Dott. Daniele Priano
Published: 2026-01-15

Does your child have elbow pain after gymnastics or throwing? Panner's disease is an osteochondritis typical of ages 5-10. Diagnosis and treatment in Milan.

Medically reviewed: March 2026·Dott. Daniele Priano

Quick Answers

What is the difference between Panner's and osteochondritis dissecans?

Panner's disease affects children under 10 and has excellent prognosis: the capitellum fully reconstitutes. Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) affects adolescents over 12 and can cause detachment of a loose osteochondral fragment requiring surgery. The distinction is based on age and X-ray findings.

Does it heal completely?

Yes, prognosis is excellent. The humeral capitellum fully reconstitutes in 1-2 years. The elbow regains complete or near-complete range of motion. The key is rest from the causative activity during the active phase.

Is surgery ever needed?

No, Panner's disease never requires surgery. Treatment is exclusively conservative: rest, range-of-motion maintenance, and gradual return to sports. Surgery may however be necessary for adolescent osteochondritis dissecans.

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 an excellent prognosis. The capitellum fully reconstitutes in 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 affects adolescents over 12 and has a very different prognosis: it can cause detachment of a loose fragment and require surgery. In Panner's disease, surgery is never needed: treatment is rest from the causative activity and gentle maintenance of range of motion.

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?▼

Does it heal completely?▼

Is surgery ever needed?▼

Other Juvenile Osteochondroses

Osteochondroses are a family of growth-related conditions. Learn about the others:

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Osgood-Schlatter(Knee)

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Sever(Heel)

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Sinding-Larsen(Kneecap)

Complete guide to juvenile osteochondroses →

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.