2021 AOSSM-AANA Combined Annual Meeting Recordings-Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries in Gymnasts and Javelin Throwers: An Analysis of Return to Sport and Patient Outcomes

Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries in Gymnasts and Javelin Throwers: An Analysis of Return to Sport and Patient Outcomes

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Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this video presentation, the speaker discusses UCL injuries in overhead athletes, particularly baseball players. Surgical intervention for UCL injuries has resulted in a high rate of return to play, and the number of UCL reconstructions has increased in recent years. The speaker conducted two studies to evaluate the return to play and patient-reported outcomes in a unique group of athletes who placed a supraphysiologic load on their elbows, similar to baseball players. The studies included 12 gymnasts and 18 javelin throwers who underwent UCL reconstruction. Results showed that most patients were satisfied with their outcomes and were able to return to sport, with surgical treatment showing better objective measures in the gymnast group. However, there were limitations to the study, including its retrospective nature and small sample size.

Asset Caption

Taylor D'Amore, MD

Keywords

UCL injuries

overhead athletes

baseball players

surgical intervention

return to play