Ulnar collateral ligament injuries of the elbow in female division I collegiate gymnasts: a report of five cases

Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine
Guy W Nicolette, Jocelyn R Gravlee

Abstract

Elbow ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries in gymnastics have not been well documented in the literature, in comparison to UCL injuries in baseball. Few studies have examined the mechanism and nonoperative management of this injury, and no studies to date have been published on incidence of injury and return to play recommendations in gymnastics. A literature search was performed using PubMed to review articles from 1980 to 2016 that addressed the biomechanics of UCL injury in baseball and gymnastics, the anatomy of the elbow, injury rates, surgical vs non-surgical management, rehabilitation, and return to play recommendations for the sport of gymnastics. Five female collegiate gymnasts sustained UCL injury over a 3-year period. Electronic medical records for each case were thoroughly reviewed including imaging, surgical and non-surgical management, rehabilitation, and the progressive return to gymnastics. Four UCL injuries were confirmed by MRI to be avulsions at the distal insertion of the UCL and one was an avulsion at the proximal origin. While less than half of baseball players can return to competition with conservative management of these types of injuries, four out of five gymnasts were able to return to competition...Continue Reading

Citations

Mar 5, 2019·The Physician and Sportsmedicine·Justin M DubinEdward G McFarland
Nov 23, 2019·Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine·Nicholas Ramos, Orr Limpisvasti

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