Latest research on elbow ulnar collateral ligament injuries

12 papers · updated 2026-09-26 · Shoulder & Elbow · All topics

The newest papers on elbow ulnar collateral ligament injuries from the orthopaedic journals The Reduction reads, newest first, each with a one-line summary. The list is drawn from the digest’s archive and refreshed every week.

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Recent papers

  1. Determining the Elbow Flexion Angle That Minimizes Lateral Ulnar Collateral Ligament Deformity During Reconstruction.

    HAND · Sep 08 2026 · PubMed

    Cadaveric study found LUCL graft length variability is minimized when fixated between 50° and 60° of elbow flexion, suggesting this range may reduce graft stretching and long-term reconstruction failure.

  2. Quantifying the Center of Elbow Rotation in Relation to the Capitellum: Implications for Lateral Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction.

    HAND · Aug 13 2026 · PubMed

    CT-based 3D modeling of 29 elbows found the ulnohumeral center of rotation closely matches the geometric center of the capitellum, guiding optimal graft placement for isometric lateral ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction.

  3. An international survey of 262 hand surgeons on the diagnosis and treatment of thumb ulnar collateral ligament injuries.

    Journal of Hand and Microsurgery · Jul 2026 · PubMed

    An international survey of 262 hand surgeons found strong consensus on surgical treatment for Stener lesions and displaced avulsion fractures but notable variation in managing complete UCL tears without a Stener lesion, pointing to need for better evidence.

  4. Incidence of Elbow Medial Ulnar Collateral Ligament Repair and Reconstruction: A US Population Database Study 2016 to 2022.

    Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine · May 2026 · PubMed

    Ulnar collateral ligament repairs increased 129% from 2016-2022 in overhead athletes, suggesting shift toward repair over reconstruction for select injuries.

  5. Primary Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction in Major League Baseball Pitchers: An Analysis of Factors Associated With Successful Return to Preinjury Level of Performance.

    Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine · May 2026 · PubMed

    MLB pitchers with lower preinjury performance (WAR <0.15) and reliever roles face significantly higher risk of failing to return to prior level after ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction.

  6. Return to Sport After Ulnar Collateral Ligament Repair and Reconstruction.

    Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery · May 29 2026 · PubMed

    Both UCL repair and reconstruction achieve high return-to-play rates; repair offers quicker throwing return but higher complication rates than reconstruction.

  7. Biomechanical Strength of Thumb Metacarpophalangeal Joint Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction With Button Autograft and Suture Suspension (BASS) Technique in a Cadaveric Osteolysis Model.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (American) · May 26 2026 · PubMed

    Button autograft suture suspension UCL reconstruction in a simulated osteolysis model is weaker than native ligament but comparable to established techniques, informing cautious postoperative rehabilitation.

  8. The internal joint stabilizer in lateral ulnar collateral ligament injuries: a biomechanical study.

    Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery · May 12 2026 · PubMed

    Internal joint stabilizer effectively reduces varus laxity and LUCL strain in disrupted elbows, providing viable treatment for posterolateral rotatory instability.

  9. Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries in Overhead Athletes: Diagnosis, Management, and Clinical Outcomes.

    Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons · Jan 01 2025 · Review · PubMed

    Nonsurgical management with rest and platelet-rich plasma aids healing in UCL injuries; UCL reconstruction remains benchmark for tears unsuitable for conservative treatment.

  10. Current Concepts in the Surgical Management of Elbow Medial Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries.

    Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons · Dec 31 2024 · Review · PubMed

    Augmented ulnar collateral ligament repair achieves >90% return-to-play at 6 months in select candidates, offering faster recovery than standard reconstruction.

  11. Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries in Throwing Athletes: Diagnosis and Management.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (American) · Mar 2022 · Review · PubMed

    UCL injuries in overhead throwing athletes can be managed nonoperatively for partial tears or selected complete injuries; UCL repair has reemerged as alternative to reconstruction with need for comparative outcome studies.

  12. Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries: Indications, Management, and Outcomes.

    Arthroscopy · May 2020 · Review · PubMed

    UCL injuries in baseball players range from partial tears amenable to rest and throwing programs to complete tears requiring reconstruction with 80-90% return-to-play rates.

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