UCL Injuries: From the OR to the Mound

Abstract:
Performance of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction surgery recently increased 193% over a 10 year span. However, these injuries impact a small percentage of athletes including baseball players, gymnasts, javelin throwers, and wrestlers. Being that UCL injuries occurs in a small subset of the athletic populations, not every athletic trainer has the ability to see this injury with significant volume.  Given the rarity in most occupational settings for ATs, it is worthwhile to know the path from diagnosis to treatment options and from the operating room back to the playing field.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify types of UCL injuries that may be treated non-operatively vs surgically.
• Define the 3 types surgical variations for UCLs. Describe various rehabilitation protocols and timelines.
• Identify appropriate return to play (RTP) progressions for position players and pitchers vs non-baseball players.

Level:
Mastery

Domain(s):
Domain 1: Risk Reduction Wellness and Health Literacy 
Domain 2: Assessment Evaluation and Diagnosis 

Orthopedic Domain(s):
Domain 3: Professional Practice

Keywords:
UCL injuries; Tommy John surgery; Elbow rehabilitation

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.