Repair of the ulnar collateral ligament: a review of current trends and outcomes

Abstract

Diagnosis and surgical treatment of elbow ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury is becoming more common. A thorough understanding of nonsurgical and surgical options for this injury is required for successful treatment. Gold standard treatment remains ligamentous reconstruction with autograft in the elite throwing athlete. However, advances in surgical technique, technology, and a better understanding of the pathoanatomy of the injury have renewed interest in primary repair of the UCL. Recent literature has shown encouraging results with primary repair and with augmented primary repair, especially over the past 5 yr. This review describes the recent trends and outcomes of UCL repair so that surgeons can have a better understanding of surgical options.