UCL Tears in Baseball Players

Dan, Braden, Jamison, Danny

Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL)
● Composed of anterior, posterior, and transverse bands
○ Anterior band is most commonly affected
● Function
○ Resist valgus stress on the elbow
● A functional UCL can withstand 32.1 N/m of valgus stress before tearing
○ A pitcher puts roughly 34.6 N/m of valgus force on their arm per pitch
■ UCL tears are the #2 most common injury seen in baseball players and increasing each year
Risk Factors
● Throwing more than 100 innings in a season
● Higher pitch count
● Higher velocity pitches
○ Increase of 1 mph > increase of 15% risk of UCL tear
○ Increase of 5mph FB > increase of 98% risk
● Increase in BMI > increased risk
● Greater Lateral Release Point

● Breaking balls
● Hip passive rotational ROM
Prevalence
In 2018, 13% of a total of 6,315 MLB players reported that they had suffered a UCL tear.
62% of UCL tears happenn during the spring.
Highest prevalence of UCL tears in relief pitchers than other any other types of pitchers.
From 2007-2014, there were a total of 170 UCL tears in the MLB with 156 pitcher
injuries, and 14 positional players.
More use of the throwing motion, the higher risk for possible injury.
Risk Management
● Manage pitch count and resting
● Focus on throwing mechanics
● Encourage children to play more than
● Proper recovery (rest, ice, heat, etc.)
References
● https://www.sportsmedreview.com/blog/risk-factors-for-ucl-injury/
● https://www.samford.edu/sports-analytics/fans/2018/The-Tommy-John-Surgery-Explosion-in-the-MLB
● https://setonhill.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=s3h&AN=136923954&site=eho
st-live
● https://setonhill.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=c8h&AN=122311714&site=eho
st-live

● https://setonhill.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=s3h&AN=140307710&site=eho
st-live

● https://setonhill.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cmedm&AN=29775388&site=e
host-live

● https://setonhill.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cmedm&AN=26848482&site=e
host-live