The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) can become stretched, frayed or torn through the stress of repetitive throwing motions, causing ulnar collateral ligament injuries.
Professional pitchers have been the athletes treated most often for this problem. Javelin throwers and football, racquet sports, ice hockey, and water polo players have also been reported to injure the UCL. A fall on an outstretched arm can also lead to UCL rupture (often with elbow dislocation).
Causes
- Repeated stress
- Overhead movement
- Throwing movements
- Injury
- Sports injury
- Trauma
Symptoms
- Pain on the inside of the elbow.
- A sense of looseness or instability in the elbow.
- Irritation of the "funny bone" or ulnar nerve: This is felt as tingling or numbness in the small finger and ring finger.
- Decreased ability to throw a baseball or other object.
- Pain during Elbow movement
Treatment
Treatment
Many athletes with elbow instability from UCL injury can be treated successfully with rehabilitation and without invasive procedures. At first, symptoms may be treated with rest and/or activity modification (fewer pitches per game, per practice, per day). The athlete’s posture, strength, and release of the ball must be analyzed and corrected. The use of curve balls should be avoided during the early phases of rehabilitation.