Professional Pitchers Display Differences in UCL Morphology and Elbow Gapping During Moving Valgus Stress Testing After UCL Reconstruction.

Background: Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction (UCLR) of the elbow has received much attention given the rise in incidence among baseball pitchers. Stress ultrasonography has been demonstrated to be a critical evaluation tool of the UCL. No study has dynamically evaluated the ability of UCLR to restore normal kinematics.

Using Stress Ultrasonography to Understand the Risk of UCL Injury Among Professional Baseball Pitchers Based on Ligament Morphology and Dynamic Abnormalities.

Background: Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury of the elbow is a common and debilitating problem seen frequently among elite baseball pitchers. Ultrasound is a useful diagnostic tool in evaluating UCL injuries.

Hypothesis: Evaluation with stress ultrasound of the elbow to measure the morphology of the UCL and the ulnohumeral joint space gapping is indicative of higher risk of UCL injury among professional baseball pitchers.