Ulnar Collateral Ligament Repair With Collagen-Dipped FiberTape Augmentation in Overhead-Throwing Athletes

Abstract

Background: There has been a renewed interest in ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) repair in overhead athletes because of a greater understanding of UCL injuries, an improvement in fixation technology, and the extensive rehabilitation time to return to play. Purpose/Hypothesis: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of a novel technique of UCL repair with internal brace augmentation in overhead throwers. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Patients undergoing a novel technique of UCL repair with internal brace augmentation were prospectively followed for a minimum of 1 year. Potential candidates for repair were selected after the failure of nonoperative treatment when imaging suggested a complete or partial avulsion of the UCL from either the sublime tubercle or medial epicondyle, without evidence of poor tissue quality of the ligament. The final decision on UCL repair or traditional reconstruction was determined intraoperatively. Demographic and operative data were collected at the time of surgery. Return to play, and Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic (KJOC) scores were collected at 1 year and then again at 2 years postoperatively. Results: Of the 111 overhead athletes eligible for the study, 92% (102/111) of those who desired to return to the same or higher level of competition were able to do so at a mean time of 6.7 months. These patients had a mean KJOC score of 88.2 at final follow-up. Conclusion: UCL repair with internal brace augmentation is a viable option for amateur overhead throwers with selected UCL injuries who wish to return to sport in a shorter time frame than allowed by traditional UCL reconstruction.

Baseball Pitching Biomechanics Shortly After Ulnar Collateral Ligament Repair

“…8,18 Savoie et al 27 published findings on a series of UCL repairs for 60 high school and college athletes, reporting 93% with good-to-excellent outcomes and return to play within 6 months of surgery. More recently, Dugas et al 7 found similar outcomes in 111 high school and college athletes, reporting that 92% returned to the same or higher level of competition at an average of 7 months after UCL repair with internal brace augmentation.…”

Management of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries in Overhead Athletes

“…Recently, a modification of the repair was introduced, in which the repair was augmented with a synthetic tape fixed with bone anchors at both ends (InternalBrace®; Arthrex, Naples, FL, USA) to prevent excessive stress on the repaired UCL and might permanently reinforce the healed ligament ( Fig. 4 ) [ 25 , 26 ].…”

Elbow ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction using suture tape augmentation

“…2 In a clinical study, Dugas et al performed UCL repair with collagen-dipped suture bridge augmentation in overhead athletes and found a 92% return to sport and shortened time to return (6.7 months) compared to UCL reconstruction. 9 An accelerated rehabilitation program may be appropriate for patients who are compliant and desire to return to a higher level of competition.…”