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Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries of the Elbow, Sports Medicine

Jason L. Zaremski, MD, CAQSM, FAAPMR, FACSM and Daniel C. Herman, MD, PhD, FAAPMR, FACSM, CAQSM Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Sprain or tearing of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the elbow secondary to acute or chronic valgus stress leading to pain, instability, and dysfunction

  • Two main mechanisms: ch...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • In acute rupture, the athlete may experience sudden pain, sometimes with an audible pop, and cannot resume play.

  • Chronic injuries present as persistent, insidious medial elbow pain, of...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Acute treatment: Acute injuries should be treated with rest from sport, ice, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and sling immobilization if pain is substantial wi...

REFERENCES

1
Erickson BJ, Nwachukwu BU, Rosas S, et al. Trends in medial ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction in the united states: a retrospective review of a large private-payer database from 200...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • UCL injuries are predominantly seen in high-velocity throwing or overhead athletes.

  • Pain, apprehension, or laxity appreciated on valgus testing of the elbow should lead to MRI arthrogra...

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