Ulnar Collateral Ligament Sprain By: Future president of the United States, Lauryn Chlebnikow #2040

Anatomy the anterior oblique posterior oblique transverse ligaments

MOI Repetitive overhead movement, i.e. throwing 2. Direct Blow to the elbow A direct blow can cause a disruption of the UCL Example: A wrestler supporting his weight on one arm as his opponent rolls into the lateral aspect of his elbow. Cause valgus stress, forcing the medial aspect of the elbow to separate, and put excessive stress on the UCL. Due to the amount of stress placed on the inner aspect of the elbow. Every time an athlete throws a baseball the medial aspect of the elbow is stretched. This repetitive trauma can result in a ligament injury.

Signs and Symptoms Closing the hand and clenching the fist has also been shown to reproduce the painful symptoms. The injury is often associated with an experience of a sharp “pop” in the elbow, followed by pain during a single throw. Medial elbow pain and swelling (especially if the ligament has been partially torn.) Bruising Loss of elbow range of motion Sudden decrease in velocity in motion Joint laxity Occasionally, the ulnar nerve, which runs very close to the UCL, can be stretched, leading to numbness and tingling in the small and ring fingers. (Tinel’s test)

Treatment and RTP A moderate or severe injury may need to be splinted PRICES Elastic bandage to keep swelling down Observed for any nerve damage Strengthen wrist flexors Cross the medial aspect of elbow and provide support for the joint. Wrist curls and grip strengthening

Severe cases when a ligament is ruptured, reconstructive surgery is required. Surgeon harvests the length of the tendon from the palmaris longus muscle, and routing it through the distal humerus and proximal ulna LONG RECOVERY

Gamekeepers thumb

Anatomy Medial collateral ligament of the thumb

MOI The thumb is jerked away from the index finger, stretching or even completely tearing the ulnar collateral ligament (Skiers thumb). The result of a gradual injury due to repetitive trauma to the thumb (Gamekeepers thumb). Athletes who use their hands are more prone to this injury. It is especially common in contact athletes who play football, rugby, and wrestling and have to apply force with their thumb while tackling or grappling. Forcefully abducted.

Signs and Symptoms Pain over joint Area may be swollen Difficulty grabbing objects Difficulty throwing objects Unstable or wobbly thumb at its base Bruising at thumb base

Treatment and RTP Treatment can be more difficult for Gamekeeper's thumb because the gradual thinning of the UCL makes it difficult to reattach when torn. Ice to reduce swelling Acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce pain Splint or cast, XRAY to determine avulsion fracture. Typically, partial UCL tears require immobilization with a splint or cast for four to six weeks. If the UCL is completely torn, surgery is usually required, due to the unpredictable healing of complete tears. Treatments received within a month after the injury occurred have a higher success rate.

What are two ways you can sprain your UCL Name one part of the UCL that can be injured What are the signs on a sprained UCL? How do you injure your thumb? What are the signs of gamekeepers thumb? How can you treat gamekeeps thumb?

Athletic Training book Rehabilitation of the Injured Athlete https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000 572.htm