This paper discusses damage to the Ulnar Collateral Ligament, a common sports injury.
This paper describes that certain types of throwing motions put extreme stress on the Ulnar Collateral Ligament ligament. The author points out that physical examinations are often inexact and tests are not 100% accurate; therefore, making a diagnosis is the most difficult part of treating an ulnar collateral ligament problem. The paper concludes that, if the patient wants to return to overhead or throwing sporting activities, and does not respond to non-surgical treatments, then surgery is recommended.
“Injuries of the ulnar collateral ligament are daily events in the sports world. Seldom a day goes by that some athlete does not make the news with such injuries. Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood suffered significant damage in 1999 .Pitcher, Scott Williamson of the Cincinnati Reds had surgery last year to repair the torn ligament in his right elbow .These are common injuries and seldom interfere permanently with an athlete’s career.”