With increased competitiveness and greater demand on athletes of all ages, physicians are seeing an uptick in injuries affecting the UCL, or ulnar collateral ligament, which is inside the elbow and helps to stabilize the elbow joint. In this episode, Dr. David Altchek is joined by fellow HSS orthopedic surgeons Dr. Joshua Dines and Dr. James “Beamer” Carr, who are both experts in shoulder and elbow surgery and have experience caring for professional athletes. Together, they discuss Tommy John surgery, which repairs the UCL and is often needed by baseball players and other athletes who play sports that require throwing. This episode also delves into best practices to consider for athletes at every level – high school, collegiate and professional – and provides case study examples as part of the discussion.
Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:
01:53 case study of a high school baseball pitcher
04:14 when to consider a repair
04:41 difference between repair versus reconstruction
06:07 rehabilitation time after repair or reconstruction
07:37 explaining the biology of repair and reconstruction
08:43 case study of a college baseball pitcher
11:54 adding a brace to stabilize elbow
13:20 recovery time before returning to sports
14:57 case study of a professional baseball pitcher
18:19 role of PRP injections
18:42 weighted balls and increased injury risk
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