Paper 13: None: Clinical Outcomes of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Surgery in Non-Throwing Athletes

Abstract

Objectives:Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) surgery continues to improve since its inception by Dr. Frank Jobe in 1974. There is now ample data on the outcomes of surgery for throwing athletes, such as baseball players, who undergo either UCL reconstruction or UCL repair. In comparison, there is very little available data regarding outcomes of UCL surgery for non-throwing athletes who are seeking similar benefit from the procedure. The primary objective of this study is to provide clinical outcomes of UCL surgery performed in non-throwing athletes at a single institution with a minimum two-year follow-up.Methods:Forty non-throwing athletes who underwent UCL surgery (repair or reconstruction) between 2011 and 2019 were identified. All surgeries were performed by one of three fellowship-trained sports medicine surgeons at our institution utilizing a uniform technique for repair or reconstruction. Demographics were recorded including age, sex, laterality, arm dominance, sport, level of competition, and type of surgery (UCL repair or reconstruction). Outcomes included return to play (rate and average time), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores, and complications.Results:Thirty-seven patients (92.5%) were available for evaluation with a minimum two-year follow-up consisting of 16 males (43%) and 21 females (57%). Mean age at the time of surgery was 18±3.7 years.28 UCL repairs (76%) and 9 UCL reconstructions (24%) were performed.Sports included football (n=11), gymnastics (11), cheerleading (7), wrestling (4), volleyball (2), basketball (1), and acrobatics (1). Quarterbacks were excluded from the football patients as quarterbacks are throwing athletes. Level of competition included youth (1), high school (26), college (8), and professional (2).Return to play rate was 93% (26 of 28) at a mean of 7.4 months for UCL repair, and 100% (9 of 9) at a mean of 10 months for UCL reconstruction.Mean ASES scores were 94.4 and 98.7 for UCL repair and reconstruction, respectively.Two Patients in the UCL repair group required ulnar neurolysis and revision ulnar nerve transposition.Conclusions:Both UCL reconstruction and UCL repair show favorable outcomes at minimum two-year follow-up in non-throwing athletes.93% or greater returned to play with good functional outcomes and minimal complications.Table 1.Patient CharacteristicsTable 2.Outcomes Comparison