Medial Elbow Pain During the Return-to-Throwing Period After Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction in Pitchers:

Background:Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR) is common in the sport of baseball, particularly among pitchers. Postoperative return-to-sport protocols have many players beginning to throw at 4 to 5 months and returning to full competition between 12 and 16 months after surgery. Medial elbow pain during the return-to-throwing period often occurs and can be difficult to manage.Purpose:To evaluate the incidence of medial elbow pain and associations with outcomes and revision surgery during the return-to-throwing period after UCLR.Study Design:Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:Between the years of 2002 and 2014, all pitchers who underwent UCLR at a single institution were identified. Charts were reviewed for incidence of medial elbow pain during return to throwing, return to sport, and subsequent operative interventions, including revision ulnar collateral ligament surgery.Results:Of a total of 616 pitchers who underwent UCLR during the study period, 317 were included in this study...