Ganglion cyst and olecranon physis nonunion in a baseball pitcher: unique treatment after conservative therapy fails.

Abstract

Although ganglion cysts and stress fractures occur at many joints, the presence of both disorders at the same joint is rare. In this unusual case, a 30-year-old professional pitcher had been treated conservatively for presumed olecranon bursitis in his right (throwing) arm, but, when therapy failed, he sought additional care. A thorough workup and subsequent surgery revealed a ganglion cyst and nonunion of a stress fracture of the olecranon physis. The ganglion cyst had its origin at the fracture site, and both cyst and bone fragment were excised. The patient had a full recovery and was able to resume pitching as an instructor 18 months after surgery.