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Current Status of UCL Injuries in Baseball Pitchers with Evidence Based Strategies for Prevention

Current Status of UCL Injuries in Baseball Pitchers with Evidence Based Strategies for Prevention

Only available as part of a package

Abstract:
The number of elbow UCL injuries in baseball pitchers continues to rise leading to more surgeries and more playing time lost for this specific athlete population. Despite advances in surgical procedures and rehabilitation, the best management strategy is prevention. This specific athlete population often has a unique baseline clinical presentation.  Understanding the risk factors and being able to create an individualized care plan can lead to decreased injury, but also improved performance.  Combining available growing evidence as well as clinician experience and expertise can lead to improved player availability adding value to the role of the athletic trainer.

Learning Objectives:

  • Analyze the clinical presentation unique to baseball pitchers.
  • Identify contributing factors that lead to elbow injuries in baseball pitchers.
  • Analyze multiple factors that can lead to injury based on the unique individual athlete presentation.
  • Recommend plan of care to prevent UCL elbow injury based on available researched factors.

Level:
Mastery

Domain(s):
Domain 1: Risk Reduction Wellness and Health Literacy 
Domain 2: Assessment Evaluation and Diagnosis 
Domain 3: Critical Incident Management 
Domain 4: Therapeutic Intervention 
Domain 5: Health Care Administration and Professional Responsibility

Orthopedic Domain(s):
Domain 1: Medical Knowledge
Domain 2: Procedural Knowledge

Keywords:
Elbow; Sports Medicine

CEUs:
1.0 Category A

A Statement of Credit reflecting your CEUs will be issued immediately upon the successful completion of all course components. 


Course Expiration: 
All sessions of the NATA 77th Symposia On-Demand must be completed by December 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CST.
For full details, refer to the expiration policy on our FAQ page.

Joseph Rauch, PT, ATC

Joseph T. Rauch, DPT, SCS, ATC recently completed his 6th season on the major league medical staff with the Philadelphia Phillies currently serving as Assistant Athletic Trainer. He joined the Phillies in January of 2015 as Minor League Athletic Training and Rehabilitation Coordinator, a position he held until promotion in 2020.  Prior to being hired, Joe worked for NovaCare Rehabilitation in the Philadelphia market and was the physical therapist for LaSalle University Athletics.  He spent the previous 5 years at the University of Cincinnati, most recently as the Head Athletic Trainer for the Athletics Department and Coordinator of Rehabilitation for the Bearcats Football, Basketball and Baseball teams.

Joe is a 2005 graduate from the University of Pittsburgh with a BS in Rehabilitation Science and a concentration in Athletic Training. In 2009, he received his DPT from Widener University in Chester, PA.  He completed the NovaCare/University of Cincinnati Sports Physical Therapy Residency Program in 2010. In 2014, Joe became a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy.  
 
Born in Columbus, Ohio, Joe currently resides in Tampa, Florida with his wife Sarah, daughter Cora and dog Loretta.

This content will not be available until 07/31/2026 at 12:00 AM (CDT)