Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) Reconstruction surgery involves replacing a torn ulnar collateral ligament with a tendon from elsewhere in the body. It is also referred to as Tommy John Surgery.
The UCL, also called medial collateral ligament, is located on the inside of the elbow and connects the ulna bone to the humerus bone. It is one of the main stabilizing ligaments in the elbow especially with overhead activities such as throwing and pitching. When this ligament is injured, it can end a professional athlete’s career unless surgery is performed.
The common symptoms associated with a UCL injury are as follows:
Ulnar collateral ligament injury is usually caused by repetitive overhead throwing such as in baseball. The stress of repeated throwing on the elbow causes microscopic tissue tears and inflammation. With continued repetition, eventually the UCL can tear preventing the athlete from throwing with significant speed. If untreated, it can end an athlete’s professional career. UCL injury may also be caused by direct trauma such as with a fall, car accident, or work injury. Other causes include any activity that requires repetitive overhead motion of the arm such as tennis, pitching sports, fencing, and painting.
UCL injury should be evaluated by an orthopedic specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment. Your physician will perform the following:
Other tests such as X-rays and MRI scans may be ordered to confirm the diagnosis.
Your physician will recommend conservative treatment options to treat the symptoms associated with UCL injury unless you are a professional or collegiate athlete. In these cases, if the patient wants to continue in their sport, surgical reconstruction is performed.
Conservative treatment options that are commonly recommended for non-athletes include the following:
If conservative treatment options fail to resolve the condition and symptoms persist for 6-12 months, Dr. Mansour may recommend ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction surgery. UCL reconstruction surgery repairs the UCL by reconstructing it with a tendon from the patient’s own body (autograft) or from a cadaver (allograft). The most frequently used tissue is the palmaris longus tendon in the forearm. The basic steps for UCL reconstruction surgery includes the following:
Finally, a splint is applied with the elbow flexed at 90 degrees.
After surgery, Dr. Mansour will give you guidelines to follow, depending on the type of repair performed and the surgeon’s preference. Common post-operative guidelines include:
As with any major surgery there are potential risks involved.
The majority of patients suffer from no complications following UCL Reconstruction surgery, however, complications can occur following elbow surgery and include:
