Did Your UCL Pop? 3 Risk Factors For Ulnar Collateral Ligament Tears

What Is A UCL?

The purpose of a ligament is to attach bones to other bones and maintain stability. The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) is situated on the inner side of the elbow. One end of the ligament is attached to the upper arm bone and the other end to the forearm bone. A damaged ligament will result in loosening of the bones and aggravating symptoms. These 3 risk factors might put a person at higher risk of UCL tear.

1. Throwing velocity

According to a recent study, athletes may be at higher risk of experiencing an ulnar collateral ligament injury. Throwing velocity was shown to be a strong to moderate risk factor for this type of tear. Those with greater mean overall velocity, curveball velocity, changeup velocity, and fastball velocity have a higher risk of UCL tear. Athletes should be aware of this possibility and seek care immediately if this type of injury occurs while throwing.

2. Range of movement

Impaired range of movement is another very strong risk factor for UCL injury. Shoulder and elbow range of motion imbalance can put stress on the elbow, putting a person at risk of UCL injury. Internal range of motion performed in non-dominant hands is prone to getting UCL tear. Range of motion performed in the dominant hand is not a risk factor for UCL tear.

3. Humeral retrotorsion

Another factor that makes a person more at risk of UCL injury is humeral retrotorsion. Less humeral retrotorsion in the non-dominant arm is considered a strong to moderate risk factor for a UCL tear. Athletes, like baseball players, are more likely to experience this risk factor.

Causes of UCL injury

There are generally two reasons for UCL tear. The main factor is due to overuse, such as repetitive movements. The second cause is trauma, such as direct injury to the elbow.

What symptoms will I experience?

A patient’s symptoms vary on the intensity of the ligament tear. Mild to moderate injuries include pain or tenderness in the elbow area, pain upon movement, and elbow weakness. One may have the inability to do activities such as gripping and throwing. When a ligament is torn, symptoms such as severe pain, a popping sensation, paresthesia, and inability to throw are experienced.

Grading of tear

The extent of UCL injury is classified into 3 stages. A grade 1 tear is when the ligament is intact and only stretched. Grade 2 tear is when the ligament is partially torn. Grade 3 shows a complete tear of the ligament. The doctor can determine what stage has occurred when the patient is examined.

Managing UCL injury

The treatment of UCL depends on the grading of the tear. The initial treatments are rest, ice application, painkillers, platelet-rich plasma injection, and physical therapy. The last resort for resolving the symptoms includes surgery. Surgical options include UCL direct repair and UCL reconstruction.

Recuperation period

The healing time for a patient depends on the intensity of the UCL tear. Conservative treatment takes weeks to months for recovery. Surgical management takes 9 months to about a year for a patient to recover. Every patient’s recuperation time varies from case to case. Be mindful of the risk factors to prevent this type of injury.