UCL Injury

What is a UCL Injury?

The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) is an important ligament that connects the ulna bone of the forearm to the humerus of the upper arm. This ligament is located on the inside (medial) portion of the elbow and provides stability to the elbow joint which can be important for throwing and other overhead athletes. UCL Injuries are frequently caused by repetitive, overhead motions of the arm, like the movement required when pitching a baseball. These types of injuries range in severity from mild sprains to complete tears. Dr. Joseph Lamplot, orthopedic shoulder specialist, treats patients in Arlington Heights, Kildeer, Lake Zurich, Barrington, and the surrounding Northwest Suburbs of Chicago, IL, who have experienced a UCL Injury.

Are there different types of UCL Injuries?

UCL injuries are classified using a grading system based on their severity. These grades include:

• Grade 1 UCL: This type of injury is the mildest form of a UCL injury. This describes an injury where the ligament has been strained, but not stretched to a great degree. Patients typically have a normal range of motion and function of their elbow, although pain is usually present. Rest from aggrevating activities such as throwing will generally lead to resolution within a few weeks.
• Grade 2 UCL Injury: This is considered a moderate injury, where the ligament has been partially torn. Pain will be present and is typically more severe than a Grade 1 injury.
• Grade 3 UCL Injury: This describes the most severe form of a UCL injury, where the ligament is completely ruptured or torn. Patients with Grade 3 UCL injuries will have pain and difficulty with activities such as throwing.

What are the symptoms of a UCL Injury?

The symptoms associated with a UCL injury range based on the severity of the initial injury including:

• Pain on the medial (inside) part of the elbow during movement
• Instability and weakness of the elbow joint
• Swelling and/or numbness of the elbow due to irritation of surrounding nerves
• “Popping” sound at the time of injury

How is a UCL injury diagnosed?

In order to be able to properly diagnose a UCL Injury, Dr. Lamplot will first obtain a detailed medical history of the patient. He will also perform a detailed physical examination and may request that additional diagnostic imaging be performed such as X-rays or an MRI scan.

How is a UCL Injury treated?

Non-surgical treatment:

Conservative, non-surgical treatment options are typically preferred for grade 1 and 2 injuries and selected grade 3 injuries including:

• Rest and icing of the injury
• Pain and inflammation management through non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)
• Physical therapy to strengthen muscles and ensure proper body mechanics while throwing or pitching.
• Injections, typically platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may be considered in select cases.

Surgical treatments:

Surgical treatment is typically recommended for high-level throwing athletes that experience grade 3 injuries with complete tears or those unable to return to play despite appropriate non-surgical treatment. The goal of this surgery is to repair or reconstruct the torn ligament and return normal function to the injured elbow. Dr. Lamplot will carefully evaluate each patient’s injury and desired activity level and make recommendations for the procedure that will provide the best outcome for the patient.