Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) Tear Treatment in New York
What is an ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tear?
The ulnar collateral ligament is located in the inner portion of the elbow. It helps connect your upper arm to your forearm and is necessary for any bending and movement of the elbow. When the inner ligament of the elbow is torn or strained, it is known as a UCL tear or an ulnar collateral ligament injury. Most commonly associated with pitchers and other sports-players who use their arms to make a throwing movement, UCL tears are highly common and sometimes referred to as pitcher’s elbow, “throwing your arm out,” or a “thrown out arm.”
If you believe that you may have a UCL tear or injury, visit Performance Health in NYC or Pearl River for an expert diagnosis and treatment. Our sports medicine doctors and specialists can provide a wide range of UCL tear treatment options for long-term relief.
Causes of a UCL tear
An ulnar collateral ligament tear is most commonly associated with sports that involve pitching or throwing (e.g. softball, baseball), but can also be the result of other incidents. In general, the condition is caused by a wearing of the ligament after stressful throwing motions. The most common sports that cause UCL injuries include:
- Golf
- Skiing
- Rowing
- Softball (especially pitching)
- Running
- Baseball (especially pitching)
- Swimming
- Basketball
- Tennis
What are the symptoms of A UCL tear?
If you are suffering from any of the following signs and symptoms of an ulnar collateral ligament injury, you may need to visit a sports injury expert at Performance Health for an evaluation and UCL tear treatment:
- Pain on the inner portion of the elbow
- Tingling or numbness in the “funny bone”
- Inability to perform full range of motion
- Lowered ability to perform sports movements, such as throwing
- Looseness or instability in the arm and elbow
Diagnosing a UCL tear
Our caring doctors at Performance Health are well-versed in treating a wide range of joint conditions, including UCL injuries of many kinds. At our New York sports medicine facility, we can diagnose your UCL tear during a short consultation. During your visit, you will likely be asked to perform a series of movements as well as describe your level of pain and other symptoms. Your doctor will be able to determine the underlying cause for your elbow pain during this evaluation and will make recommendations for treatment and pain management therapies. When needed, your doctor may also recommend diagnostic testing to help determine the exact cause of your pain and to help plan your treatment.
Treatment Options We Offer For UCL Tears
Depending on the severity of your UCL tear or strain, as well as the cause of the injury, your doctor may recommend a number of different UCL tear treatments, including:
- Physical therapy and myofascial release
- Pain management
- Sports medicine and rehabilitation
- Massage therapy
- Regenerative and alternative medicine
If you are suffering from elbow pain, the first step to improving your health and returning to your normal activities is to schedule an evaluation at Performance Health. Our physicians can help you get back to performance-level health. Call one of our New York offices at 212.486.8616, or fill out the form on this page to request an appointment now.