Minor ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury can heal itself with nonsurgical treatments . However, if you want to perform any strenuous overhead or throwing activity or if the ligament has an advanced grade tear, then your doctor may recommend surgical repair for the torn UCL.
Is surgery necessary to an ulnar collateral ligament tear in the thumb?
Historically, the recommended treatment for a UCL injury involved immobilizing the thumb in a cast for four to six weeks. This option may work if the ligament injury is minor. Today, in the majority cases, surgery to repair the UCL is the treatment of choice .
Can you rehab a torn UCL?
Your physical therapist can help improve your arm’s strength and range of motion following a UCL injury , and help restore your shoulder and core stability, coordination, and balance.
How do I know if I tore my UCL?
- 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.
Is there an alternative to Tommy John surgery?
Jeffrey Dugas, an orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist at the renown Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center, along with other surgeons throughout the country, have been experimenting with a new procedure called “ primary repair ,” which appears to be a highly effective alternative to Tommy John ...
Can elbow ligaments heal on their own?
This inherent stability of the elbow also allows the ligaments often to heal fairly rapidly without intervention . Occasionally certain ligaments will not heal or remain unstable and then surgery may be indicated.
How do you strengthen the ligaments in your elbow?
- Perform a static bicep stretch. Hold your elbow against your side with your arm bent in a 90-degree angle. ...
- Complete a static tricep stretch. ...
- Sit comfortably in front of a sturdy table, such as a dining table. ...
- Work out with dumbbells. ...
- Sit in a straight-backed chair with arms.
How long does it take for a UCL tear to heal with surgery?
Patients can expect the entirety of Phase I recovery to take about 6 weeks . Phase II. Approximately 6 weeks following the surgery, elbow and shoulder strengthening exercises are advanced. It’s important to know strengthening exercises should not be limited to just the elbow.
How do you strengthen your UCL ligament?
- Wrist Flexion. Hold a dumbbell off the side of a table, hand facing up. Bend your elbow and support it with the table. ...
- Tricep Curls. Hold a dumbbell. ...
- Forearm Twists. Hold a dumbbell with your elbow bent and supported on a table.
Can you lift weights with a torn UCL?
Fact #2: A torn UCL may not keep you from your daily activities. In fact, many people with UCL injuries can still lift weights and participate in non-throwing activities such as running, skating or soccer.
What does a partial UCL tear feel like?
Most commonly, it’s a slow onset of elbow soreness, loss of velocity and/or location, or tingling into their fingertips . The epidemic of Tommy John injuries has freaked out most pitchers.
How do I know if I tore my ulnar collateral ligament thumb?
You may have bruising, tenderness, and swelling around the base of your thumb, near the palm . If the ulnar collateral ligament is completely torn, the end of the ruptured ligament may cause a lump or swelling on the inside of the thumb. Your thumb joint may also feel loose or unstable.
How long does it take for a torn ulnar collateral ligament in the thumb to heal?
It typically takes 4-6 weeks for the ligament to heals sufficiently for light use and may take longer before return to sports.
Can you still move your thumb with a torn ligament?
Grade 2 sprains: These involve a partial tear of a ligament. The thumb may be tender and painful to move, or it may feel unusually loose. Grade 3 sprains: These entail a complete tear of a ligament. The sprain may be very painful, and it may be difficult to move the thumb.
Can you live with a torn UCL?
“ Many people can tolerate a torn or stressed UCL for the rest of their lives ,” he says. “There aren’t many activities that require that kind of stress, over and over again, on that inner part of the elbow.”
Which band of the UCL is most commonly torn?
During the late cocking and early acceleration phases, the medial elbow experiences significant force—approximately 64 N•m—and the UCL is most vulnerable to injury. Because the elbow is usually at 90° to 100° of flexion, the posterior band of the anterior bundle of the UCL is the most critical stabilizer.
Why is Tommy John surgery so common?
According to Dr. Erickson’s study, more than 56% of the pitchers surveyed who had Tommy John surgery grew up in warm weather climates . Many of them played year-round as a result of the climate instead of only playing seven or eight months a year.
Can you pitch without a UCL?
Can you even pitch without a UCL? If you have a complete rupture or “disintegration” of the UCL in your elbow, and you are going to continue to play baseball, surgery is likely the way back. However, you can pitch without a UCL .
How long does it take to recover from Tommy John surgery?
Rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery usually takes about a year . In some cases, up to 2 years are needed for athletes to return to their previous level of ability. Other types of UCL surgery may not need this much rehabilitation.
Do ligaments ever fully heal?
Beware the fully torn ligament
Complete tears rarely heal naturally . Since there’s a disconnect between the tissue and any chance of blood supply, surgery is needed. Surgery also helps the joint heal correctly and reduces the chances of re-injury. For instance, an ACL rupture will require reconstruction.
How long does it take for ligaments to heal in the elbow?
You may need to wear a sling, splint, or cast for about 2 to 3 weeks while your elbow heals. Depending on how badly it is sprained, you may need to work with a physical therapist who will show you stretching and strengthening exercises. Most people recover completely from a simple elbow sprain in about 4 weeks .
What is the fastest way to heal a torn ligament in the elbow?
Rest: Restrict and modify daily activity to allow the ligaments to heal. Ice: Ice the area periodically (every 15-20 minutes) to reduce swelling and prevent tissue damage. Compression: This helps support the elbow and decrease swelling. Your doctor may recommend keeping it wrapped with a tight elastic bandage.
How do you know if you tore a ligament in your elbow?
Elbow ligament and tendon tear symptoms
Pain and tenderness around the injury . Reduced range of motion around the arm, elbow, forearm or wrist. Stiffness around the elbow. Swelling.
Should I wear tennis elbow brace overnight?
It should be worn at night and during the day when the pain is more bothersome. The second brace is a tennis-elbow strap (also known as a counterforce brace). This is recommended anytime you are lifting or performing activities such as working out, yardwork or grocery shopping.
