Anatomy
The ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow consists of three separate ligamentous bundles. The anterior bundle originates on the anterior medial epicondyle of the humerus and inserts on the coronoid process of the ulna. The posterior bundle originates on the inferior and posterior medial epicondyle and inserts on the medial margin of the olecranon. Another bundle, named the transverse band, consists of several fibers that originate on the medial margin of the olecranon and insert on the coronoid process. These transverse fibers offer very little to elbow stability as they both originate and insert on the ulna. The primary functions of these bundles are to limit medial translation of the humerus at the elbow joint. The ligament that contributes the most to this cause is the anterior bundle and is the one most susceptible to injury.
The surrounding musculature of the elbow consists of elbow flexors, elbow extensors, wrist flexors, wrist extensors, wrist supinators, and wrist pronators. The muscles surrounding the elbow are listed below:
Elbow Flexors
-Biceps brachii
-Brachialis
-Brachioradialis
Elbow Extensors
-Anconeus
-Triceps brachii.
Wrist Flexors
-Flexor digitorum superficialis
-Flexor digitorum profundus
-Flexor carpi radialis
-Flexor carpi ulnaris
-Palmaris longs
-Flexor pollicis longus
Wrist Extensors
-Extensor digitorum
-Extensor carpi radialis longus
-Extensor carpi radialis brevis
-Extensor carpi ulnaris
-Extensor indicis
-Extensor digiti minimi
-Extensor pollicis longs
-Extensor pollicis brevis.
Wrist Supinators
-Supinator
-Brachioradialis.
Wrist Pronators
-Pronator quadratus
-Pronator teres
Prevalence
A 3rd degree ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow sprain is an injury that can be found particularly in sports that include throwing or overhead motions. These sports include baseball, softball, football, volleyball, tennis, wrestling, gymnastics and javelin. The most common sport for this injury is baseball, primarily at the pitching position. A recent survey of MLB pitchers reveals that of all pitchers that have appeared in a major league game since 2001, 75 pitchers (~11%) have had the injury/surgery.
This injury, prior to 1974, was a career-ending injury. In 1974, Frank Jobe performed the first UCL reconstruction surgery on a Dodgers’ pitcher, Tommy John. This revolutionized how this injury was dealt with, leading to today’s success rate for returning from a 3rd degree UCL sprain to 85%.
The ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow consists of three separate ligamentous bundles. The anterior bundle originates on the anterior medial epicondyle of the humerus and inserts on the coronoid process of the ulna. The posterior bundle originates on the inferior and posterior medial epicondyle and inserts on the medial margin of the olecranon. Another bundle, named the transverse band, consists of several fibers that originate on the medial margin of the olecranon and insert on the coronoid process. These transverse fibers offer very little to elbow stability as they both originate and insert on the ulna. The primary functions of these bundles are to limit medial translation of the humerus at the elbow joint. The ligament that contributes the most to this cause is the anterior bundle and is the one most susceptible to injury.
The surrounding musculature of the elbow consists of elbow flexors, elbow extensors, wrist flexors, wrist extensors, wrist supinators, and wrist pronators. The muscles surrounding the elbow are listed below:
Elbow Flexors
-Biceps brachii
-Brachialis
-Brachioradialis
Elbow Extensors
-Anconeus
-Triceps brachii.
Wrist Flexors
-Flexor digitorum superficialis
-Flexor digitorum profundus
-Flexor carpi radialis
-Flexor carpi ulnaris
-Palmaris longs
-Flexor pollicis longus
Wrist Extensors
-Extensor digitorum
-Extensor carpi radialis longus
-Extensor carpi radialis brevis
-Extensor carpi ulnaris
-Extensor indicis
-Extensor digiti minimi
-Extensor pollicis longs
-Extensor pollicis brevis.
Wrist Supinators
-Supinator
-Brachioradialis.
Wrist Pronators
-Pronator quadratus
-Pronator teres
Prevalence
A 3rd degree ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow sprain is an injury that can be found particularly in sports that include throwing or overhead motions. These sports include baseball, softball, football, volleyball, tennis, wrestling, gymnastics and javelin. The most common sport for this injury is baseball, primarily at the pitching position. A recent survey of MLB pitchers reveals that of all pitchers that have appeared in a major league game since 2001, 75 pitchers (~11%) have had the injury/surgery.
This injury, prior to 1974, was a career-ending injury. In 1974, Frank Jobe performed the first UCL reconstruction surgery on a Dodgers’ pitcher, Tommy John. This revolutionized how this injury was dealt with, leading to today’s success rate for returning from a 3rd degree UCL sprain to 85%.