What are the symptoms of a UCL injury?
A sudden “pop” or pain along the inside of the elbow
, leading to the inability to continue throwing. Pain on the inside of the elbow after a period of heavy throwing or other overhead activity. Pain when accelerating the arm forward, just prior to releasing a ball.
Can a UCL tear heal on its own?
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 a torn UCL bad?
When this ligament is torn or damaged, it can lead to
pain, elbow instability and loss of function
. A UCL tear occurs with overuse and wear and tear on the ligaments in the elbow and is most commonly associated with baseball pitchers and other athletes who perform frequent overarm movement.
Can you strain your UCL?
Forceful or repetitive throwing (especially overhead throwing), or a fall on an outstretched arm may damage the ulnar collateral ligament causing it to stretch or tear (sprain). It is one of the main stabilizing ligaments in the elbow especially with overhead activities such as throwing and pitching.
How do you know if you tore your UCL in your thumb?
- Pain and tenderness over the joint at the base of the thumb.
- Thumb joint swelling / stiffness / bruising.
- Sensation of weakness or “giving way” of the thumb when pinching or gripping.
Can you lift 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.
Do you need surgery for a UCL tear?
UCL Surgery
If the UCL was injured in a single traumatic event and pulled off the bone, sometimes your elbow surgeon may be able to reattach it (direct repair). If the UCL has suffered damage over time, you may need
UCL reconstruction (Tommy John Surgery)
.
What does it feel like to throw with a torn UCL?
Pain on the inner side of the elbow
is the most common symptom of a UCL injury. A UCL tear may sometimes feel like a “pop” after throwing followed by intense pain. UCL injuries are diagnosed by physical examination and a valgus stress test to assess instability of the elbow. An MRI scan or may also be taken.
How common are UCL tears?
Our data revealed that
80% of our javelin athletes and 54% of our baseball pitchers with complete ruptures underwent UCL-
R. This is likely in part because of sport-specific biomechanical factors. The severity of UCL injuries is influenced by the amount of stress placed on the medial elbow with overhead throwing.
How do you treat a strained UCL?
UCL sprains can be
treated conservatively or surgically
. Conservative treatment includes rest, anti-inflammatories, physical therapy and bracing. Initially, rest and anti-inflammatories can be used to help reduce the pain and swelling. If the injury is acute, a sling may also be useful to aid in resting the elbow.
How do you strengthen your UCL ligament?
Grip strengthening:
Squeeze a soft rubber ball and hold the squeeze for 5 seconds
. Do 2 sets of 15. Forearm pronation and supination strengthening: Hold a soup can or hammer handle in your hand and bend your elbow 90 degrees. Slowly turn your hand so your palm is up and then down.
How long does a Grade 1 UCL sprain take to heal?
In general, grade 1 and 2 sprains are treated with a period of no throwing followed by a rehabilitation program. This may take
8- 12 weeks or more
. Grade 3 sprains are complete or full thickness tears. These are best treated with reconstruction in baseball players and javelin throwers.
What is Tommy John injury 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. They automatically think they’ve blown their elbow out if they even feel a slight hint of pain or soreness.
Can you still move your thumb with a torn ligament?
A tear to this ligament can be painful and may make your thumb feel unstable. It may also weaken your ability to grasp objects between your thumb and index finger. Treatment for a sprained thumb usually involves wearing a splint or cast to keep the thumb from moving while the ligament heals.
Can you still move your thumb if it’s broken?
Symptoms of a broken thumb include: swelling around the base of your thumb. severe pain. limited or
no ability to move your thumb
.
What to do if you tear a ligament in your thumb?
If the ligament is only partially torn, your doctor will probably
immobilize your thumb joint with a bandage, cast, or splint until it heals
. To ease pain and swelling, you can place an ice pack on your thumb twice a day for 2 to 3 days after the injury.
