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The Conservative Treatment of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries

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Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury

Abstract

Conservative treatment is often the first step in management of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries, though it should be applied in the appropriate patient context. Specific features of the clinical history, injury mechanism, physical exam and imaging help guide the decision to pursue conservative treatment. Education, injury prevention and realistic patient expectations should be emphasized as important counselling aspects of non-operative treatment. Treatment modalities are aimed at reducing elbow pain and inflammation prior to initiating active rehabilitation. Rehabilitation for UCL injury involves global conditioning of the entire kinetic chain with correction of modifiable risk factors for elbow injury. Throwing athletes should undergo a supervised program of progressive throwing that emphasizes proper form and technique. The outcomes of non-operative management of UCL injury are often satisfactory in well-selected patients with optimal injury features.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Shoulder, Elbow & Sports Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, 622 West 168th St., 10032, New York, NY, USA

    Assoc. Prof. Christopher S. Ahmad

  2. Alpine Orthopaedic Medical Group, 2488 North California Street, 95204-5508, Stockton, CA, USA

    Jaicharan J. Iyengar MD

Authors
  1. Jaicharan J. Iyengar MD
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  2. Assoc. Prof. Christopher S. Ahmad
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Correspondence to Christopher S. Ahmad .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA

    Joshua S. Dines

  2. Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA

    David W. Altchek

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Iyengar, J., Ahmad, C. (2015). The Conservative Treatment of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries. In: Dines, J., Altchek, D. (eds) Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-7540-9_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-7540-9_10

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-7539-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-7540-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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