What is UCL Reconstruction Surgery?

UCL stands for the ulnar collateral ligament. This ligament is in the elbow. This procedure involves a surgeon repairing the injured UCL by replacing it with a tendon taken from another part of the patient’s body. The surgery is commonly done on athletes who are at an increased risk of injuring the UCL ligament in their elbow. Baseball players commonly receive this surgery because of the tension that is put on their elbows. If you have injured your UCL and need surgery, contact Dr. David Altchek for UCL reconstruction surgery Manhattan. 

What are the symptoms of a UCL injury?

Typically, UCL injuries are common in baseball players. However, there are additional sports where UCL injuries can occur. These sports include:

• Javelin throw
• Tennis
• Gymnastics
• Soccer
• Football
• Wrestling
• Cheerleading

If you are an athlete in the sports above, it is important to understand the probable symptoms of a UCL injury. Some of the most common symptoms of UCL injuries are elbow pain and a feeling of instability and looseness in the elbow. Another symptom is irritation of the ulnar nerve, also known as the funny bone. This can turn into numbness or tingling in the ring finger and small finger. These symptoms interfere with throwing or other elbow movements in sports, making it easier to recognize that you may have a UCL tear. Additionally, sometimes UCL tears can cause difficulty during activities besides throwing in sports. These activities include:

• Lifting weights
• Running
• Doing daily activities
• Batting (baseball)
• Basic exercise

UCL tears can cause lots of difficulty in sports but also activities in our daily lives. Hence, it is important to seek medical help if you suspect a UCL injury. For UCL reconstruction surgery Manhattan, contact Dr. David Altchek. 

Is surgery the first treatment option?

Typically, UCL injuries are first treated with ice, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, and rest. Physical therapy can then be used to help strengthen the muscles around the UCL to help ease the muscle into recovery. However, many athletes opt for the UCL reconstruction surgery because it allows them to go back to their sport and have a recovered, strong UCL. The UCL reconstruction surgery can be a first treatment option, especially for athletes who want to go back to throwing in sports and those who don’t respond to rest, ice, and medications. Doctors like David Altchek can perform a UCL reconstruction surgery Manhattan and help his patients get back to throwing at the level they were before their injury.

What happens during UCL reconstruction surgery?

During UCL reconstruction surgery, a tendon is taken from another part of the patient’s body and used to repair the damaged ligament. Some of the body parts that a tendon can be taken from include:

• Wrist
• Toe
• Forearm
• Hamstring
• Hip
• Knee
• Foot

The tendon used is also called a graft. To reconstruct the damaged ligament, a surgeon drills tunnels in the ulna and humerus. The tendon is placed through the tunnels and is intertwined following a figure-eight pattern with the ligament to reconstruct it. The original ligament is attached to the tendon to stabilize and strengthen it. Although this surgery effectively stabilizes the UCL, complications like damage to the ulnar nerve, hematomas, and infections can happen. 

UCL reconstruction surgery recovery process

It usually takes a year for patients to recover from UCL reconstruction surgery. Rehabilitation is a process, which is why it is typically divided into three phases. Continue reading below for more information on the phases of rehabilitation.

Phase 1:

• Total body rehabilitation exercises
• Wearing a splint for a week
• Simple range of motion exercises for the wrist, shoulder, and hand
• Exercises to strengthen the shoulder

Phase 2:

• About 6 weeks after surgery
• Avoid activities that put excess stress on the UCL and tendon for about 4 months
• Practicing elbow strengthening activities

Phase 3 (athletes):

• After 4 or 5 months: throw/toss a ball without winding up
• After 6 months: practice winding up, but not too fast
• After 7 months: for baseball players, pitchers can return to pitching
• After 9 months: pitchers can pitch in a game but only if they have no pain and are back to their prior strength level before injury. 

If you have injured your UCL, Dr. David Altchek can help you get back to where you were before the injury. He uses UCL reconstruction surgery in Manhattan to help his patients live pain-free and get back to sports as soon as possible. Contact Dr. David Altchek to schedule an appointment!