Abstract
Clinical Scenario: Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries are becoming more prominent within the population of overhead athletes. Traditional procedures to repair the UCL have a long timeline, 12-14 months, to return to play (RTP), however the use of internal bracing provides a faster timeline for overhead athletes to RTP.
Clinical Question: Does the use of internal bracing provide a faster recovery timeline for overhead athletes with UCL injury?
Summary of Key Findings: A computerized search was performed to find the relationship with internal bracing for UCL repair in overhead athletes and RTP timelines. Two articles were found in the search and one hand picked that included in this appraisal.
Clinical Bottom Line: Evidence suggests that overhead athletes that are suitable for UCL repair should use internal bracing as their source of repair compared to traditional reconstruction and repair. This is because it provides a shorter RTP timeline with a higher percentage of RTP at the same level of play or greater pre-injury.
Strength of Recommendation: Based on the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy Scale, there is level C evidence to support the use of internal bracing for UCL repair for overhead athletes to have a faster return to play timeline.
Clinical Question: Does the use of internal bracing provide a faster recovery timeline for overhead athletes with UCL injury?
Summary of Key Findings: A computerized search was performed to find the relationship with internal bracing for UCL repair in overhead athletes and RTP timelines. Two articles were found in the search and one hand picked that included in this appraisal.
Clinical Bottom Line: Evidence suggests that overhead athletes that are suitable for UCL repair should use internal bracing as their source of repair compared to traditional reconstruction and repair. This is because it provides a shorter RTP timeline with a higher percentage of RTP at the same level of play or greater pre-injury.
Strength of Recommendation: Based on the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy Scale, there is level C evidence to support the use of internal bracing for UCL repair for overhead athletes to have a faster return to play timeline.
| Original language | American English |
|---|---|
| State | Published - 14 Feb 2025 |
| Event | Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences Research Week 2025 - Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, United States Duration: 10 Feb 2025 → 14 Feb 2025 https://medicine.okstate.edu/research/research_days.html |
Conference
| Conference | Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences Research Week 2025 |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United States |
| City | Tulsa |
| Period | 10/02/25 → 14/02/25 |
| Internet address |
Keywords
- overhead athletes
- return to play
- internal bracing
- UCL repair