This article was published on: 01/3/22 9:54 AM
An ulnar collateral ligament tear (UCL) is considered to be an injury of the ligaments on the inner side of the elbow. Ulnar collateral ligament helps to connect the inside of your upper arm to the inside of your forearm and helps in supporting and stabilizing your arm. This ligament is rarely ever stressed in daily activities. It usually gets injured in throwing types of sports or after an elbow dislocation or surgery. A tear may occur suddenly or gradually over time with repetitive injury. When torn, it does not typically heal or may heal in a lengthened position.
Tearing of the ligament often occurs after some localized soreness of the elbow on the inside. The actual tear often feels as a ‘pop’ and a person is usually unable to go about his daily activities after it occurs. Some of the symptoms include elbow stiffness or inability to straighten the elbow, inability to throw at full speed or loss of ball control, numbness or tingling in the ring and little fingers and hand, swelling and bruising at the site of injury at the inner elbow and upper forearm and clumsiness and weakness of hand grip.
Although, there is a range of severity, a surgical repair is very significant before heading for competitive sports. The surgeon performs the surgery on an outpatient, making use of a tendon from the arm or leg to repair the UCL. An arthroscopy may be performed first to check for and repair any associated problems. After the surgery, bracing is required for a few weeks and a slow progress towards recovery is important for a successful outcome. Fast paced motions and throwing are usually possible after three months or so and competition is allowed approximately six to nine months after the surgery is performed.
