Elbow Injuries
Overhead throwing athletes are at an increased risk of Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) injuries. The overhead throwing motion places stress over the UCL complex. Over time the ligament can develop micro-injuries that exceed the body’s ability to heal. Micro tears can develop, and at times complete rupture may occur. Surgical reconstruction of the UCL can improve outcomes. However, not all throwing athletes return to prior levels of competition and the time to return to play can be 1 to 2 years. Additional treatment techniques to improve return to play rates are needed for overhead throwing athletes.
At Houston Spine & Sports Medicine, we have been treating Ulnar Collateral Ligament injuries with ultrasound-guided regenerative techniques, such as prolotherapy and PRP, for years. We are excited about the recent article on the use of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) for treatment of UCL tears. Found in the American Journal of Sports Medicine, this article is the first published report on clinical outcomes for UCL injuries that were treated with PRP. (more…)