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Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury pp 249–258Cite as

Ulnar Nerve Issues in Throwing Athletes

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Abstract

Ulnar nerve injuries are not uncommon among throwing athletes. The anatomy of the ulnar nerve and the course in which it travels through the upper extremity make it susceptible to injury, especially when the elbow is loaded in the extremes that come with throwing sports such as baseball pitching. In addition to occurring in isolation, ulnar nerve symptoms may present in patients with ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) insufficiency. Postoperative ulnar nerve dysfunction is the most commonly cited complication after reconstructive surgery. This can be attributed to the fact that the ulnar nerve is in close proximity to the native ulnar collateral ligament and is at risk for injury during surgery. To identify and protect the nerve, Jobe in his original description of the procedure, dissected out the nerve from the cubital tunnel and then transposed the nerve anteriorly in a submuscular fashion after the reconstruction was performed. However, the dissection and transposition itself may also present a risk for postoperative ulnar neuropathy. In light of this, Jobe’s original surgical technique has undergone several modifications in the surgical approach to the UCL and handling of the ulnar nerve, which has improved the postsurgical complication rate.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mercy Health System, Janesville, WI, USA

    Michael E. Angeline

  2. Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA

    Albert O. Gee

  3. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, Sports Medicine Institute, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA

    Joshua S. Dines

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

    David W. Altchek

Authors
  1. Michael E. Angeline
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  2. Albert O. Gee
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  3. Joshua S. Dines
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  4. David W. Altchek
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael E. Angeline .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA

    Joshua S. Dines

  2. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Christopher L. Camp

  3. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA

    David W. Altchek

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Angeline, M.E., Gee, A.O., Dines, J.S., Altchek, D.W. (2021). Ulnar Nerve Issues in Throwing Athletes. In: Dines, J.S., Camp, C.L., Altchek, D.W. (eds) Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-69567-5_26

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-69567-5_26

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-69566-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-69567-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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