- Clumsiness and weakness of hand grip.
- Elbow pain and stiffness.
- Loss of function in the elbow and arm.
- Numbness or tingling in the ring and little fingers and hand.
- Swelling and bruising.
How do I know if I tore my UCL?
Pain on the inner side of the elbow is the most common symptom of a UCL injury. A UCL tear may sometimes feel like a “pop” after throwing followed by intense pain. UCL injuries are diagnosed by physical examination and a valgus stress test to assess instability of the elbow. An MRI scan or may also be taken.
Can a UCL tear heal on its own?
If the tear to the ulnar collateral ligament is minor, it may heal on its own. Non-surgical treatment for the ligament tear consists of medications, ice and rest to relieve pain and swelling. Rehabilitation would also be an extremely important component.
What does a UCL sprain feel like?
Symptoms of a UCL sprain include: Inability to straighten the elbow. Numbness or tingling in the ring and little fingers and hand. Pain and tenderness on the inner side of the elbow that worsens when throwing an object. Swelling and bruising of the inner elbow and upper forearm.
How do you check for a torn UCL in your thumb?
Often thumb UCL injuries can be detected on physical exam, and special x-rays called stress views can also help to confirm the diagnosis. These will also show if arthritis is present. Occasionally and MRI is ordered to visualize if the torn ligament.
What does a slightly torn UCL feel like?
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may have a UCL injury: Clumsiness and weakness of hand grip. Elbow pain and stiffness. Loss of function in the elbow and arm.
Does a UCL tear hurt to touch?
An ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury is an inner elbow injury. It's most commonly an overuse injury and most famously known for being a baseball pitcher's injury. If you have a UCL injury you will feel pain and tenderness at your elbow.
What happens if a torn UCL goes untreated?
Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) Injury Complications If left untreated or not treated appropriately, a chronic UCL injury can cause disabling pain and instability and as well as reduced pinch strength.
How long does a partial UCL tear take to heal?
Physical therapy can be effective in treating UCL injuries, particularly with partial tears. In general, “active” rest with no throwing and no activities that place valgus stress on the elbow is recommended 2–3 months.
Can you hurt your UCL without tearing it?
If there is an injury to the UCL it is often classified as a sprain. There are three grades of sprain: grade 1, 2 and 3. A grade 1 sprain means that the ligament is stretched but no tear is felt. A grade 2 sprain indicates the ligament is stretched and a partial tear could be present.
How do you treat a partially torn UCL?
First and second grade UCL sprains are treated by resting the elbow, ice application, medication and splinting. Third degree UCL sprains are first treated conservatively to reduce pain and swelling. This is followed by surgery to repair or reconstruct the ligament.
What happens if a torn UCL goes untreated?
Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) Injury Complications If left untreated or not treated appropriately, a chronic UCL injury can cause disabling pain and instability and as well as reduced pinch strength.
Can a Grade 3 UCL tear heal without surgery?
UCL tear is classified as a third-degree sprain where the ligament is torn and does not typically heal by itself.
Does a partial tear of the UCL require surgery?
If enough of the UCL is torn that an athlete continues to have symptoms with throwing, surgery is often still necessary. Some athletes with partial tears might be able to return to sports with rest for up to six weeks and physical therapy. Some athletes have improved with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections.
How long does a Grade 1 UCL sprain take to heal?
In general, grade 1 and 2 sprains are treated with a period of no throwing followed by a rehabilitation program. This may take 8- 12 weeks or more. Grade 3 sprains are complete or full thickness tears. These are best treated with reconstruction in baseball players and javelin throwers.
What ligament is injured when throwing a baseball?
There’s a tremendous amount of valgus force on the ulnar collateral ligament with every pitch or throw. Over time, the ligament experiences a tremendous amount of stress. This is an injury most commonly experienced by pitchers, but it can be seen in many throwing and overhead athletes, such as football quarterbacks, ...
What is Tommy John's injury?
A UCL injury, or an ulnar collateral ligament injury, is often nicknamed a Tommy John injury after the famous baseball pitcher Tommy John. He was the first major athlete to undergo surgery for this injury. His name has now become synonymous with the surgery.
Where is the ulna located?
It is located on the inside of the elbow running between the humerus (arm bone) and the ulna (one of the forearm bones). It helps to stabilize the elbow against valgus stress. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.
Who are the athletes who have been injured in sports?
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
Can a pitcher's elbow hurt?
Acute events, meaning that there is one particular throw that ruptures the ligament, can occur, but this is usually not the case. This is typically an injury that develops over time. A pitcher will usually complain of pain on the inside of the elbow that worsens over the course of the game.
How to tell if you have a tear in your elbow?
Tearing of the ligament usually occurs following some localized soreness of the elbow on the inside. The actual tear is often felt as a ‘pop’ and you are usually unable to continue activity after it occurs. Other symptoms include: 1 Swelling and bruising (after 24 hours) at the site of injury at the inner elbow and upper forearm, if there is an acute tear 2 Inability to throw at full speed or loss of ball control 3 Elbow stiffness or inability to straighten the elbow 4 Numbness or tingling in the ring and little fingers and hand 5 Clumsiness and weakness of hand grip
What are the different grades of sprains?
Sprains are classified into three grades. In a first-degree sprain, the ligament is not lengthened but is painful. With a second-degree sprain, the ligament is stretched but still functions. With a third-degree sprain, the ligament is torn and does not function. Once thought to be a career-ending injury for professional athletes, ...
How to tell if you have a UCL tear?
What Are the Symptoms of a UCL Tear? The following indicators may point to a UCL tear or injury: Stabbing pain or popping sounds in the region of the elbow. Chronic elbow pain following heavy arm use. Pain brought on by overhead arm movement. Numbness or tingling in the fingers. Weakening grip.
What Is a UCL Tear?
The ulnar collateral ligament or UCL is a web of tough tissues located on the inside of the elbow – the pinky side when the palm faces up. The UCL links the humerus or upper arm bone to the ulna, which is the larger of the two lower arm bones. Its job is to stabilize and protect the joint when in motion. Tears to the UCL can result in pain and dysfunction and typically require some form of medical treatment. UCL injuries are commonly associated with athletes, such as baseball pitchers, volleyball players, and javelin throwers, whose activities require extensive overhead arm movement.
What Is Recovery Like from a UCL Tear?
Recuperation time from a UCL injury varies according to severity and the type of treatment one receives. Tears requiring non-surgical treatment can take a few weeks to a few months to heal. Surgically repaired UCLs can take much longer to fully recover. (Tommy John, for whom the surgery is named after, sat out of baseball for a year before returning to the field.) The recovery program for UCL reconstruction requires wearing a hinged elbow brace and an extensive physical-rehabilitation regimen to strengthen the joint muscles and extend range of motion.
What causes a UCL tear?
UCL tears are caused primarily by overhead arm movement, either through accumulating wear and tear, or all at once by a particularly explosive motion. Sports in which UCL injuries are common include:
What is the procedure to repair the UCL?
More serious cases may require a surgical procedure known as UCL reconstruction or Tommy John surgery . The Tommy John procedure substitutes a tendon taken from elsewhere in the patient’s body, or, in some cases, from a donor, for the damaged portion of the ulnar collateral ligament.
What is the dye in an MRI of the elbow?
The accuracy of an MRI is enhanced by injecting a dye called gadolinium into the joint prior to the scan.
Can a UCL tear affect throwing?
Reduced arm or elbow function. UCL tears mostly affect the overhead throwing motion. It is possible to have a UCL injury while still being able to perform most activities of daily living, such as showering, lifting groceries, or loading and unloading a laundry basket.
What happens when your UCL is torn?
When the UCL gets torn, the elbow may become unstable and should be evaluated by an orthopaedic specialist.
How to treat a UCL tear?
Treatment for UCL tears ranges from rest and physical therapy to surgery, depending on the severity of the injury and your health goals.
How to treat a sprained elbow?
If your work or leisure activities don’t require much strain on your elbow, then nonsurgical treatments may be all you need. These treatments may include: 1 Rest and ice 2 Anti-inflammatory medications 3 Physical therapy to strengthen the elbow muscles and improve the range of motion
What surgery is needed to repair a damaged UCL?
If the UCL has suffered damage over time, you may need UCL reconstruction (Tommy John Surgery). A surgeon would use tendons from elsewhere in your body, or from a donor, to rebuild your UCL.
Can you have surgery on your UCL?
Your doctor may recommend surgery if other treatments don’t provide the desired pain relief. But more often, surgical UCL repair is performed on athletes who need strong and stable elbows to play a sport. There are a few surgical UCL repair options depending on the type of injury you have:
Can you tear your UCL again?
Having torn your UCL once could make you more vulnerable to repeat injuries. Patient education is an important part of our treatment approach aimed to help you keep your elbows injury-free. Request an appointment: phone 443-997-2663.
