Anatomical variation of the ulnar collateral ligament and implications for joing stability and surgical rehabilitation

Authors

Jakob Gamboa, Brigham Young University
Dr. Jonathan Wisco, Brigham Young University

Keywords

anatomical variation, ulnar collateral ligament, surgical rehabilitation

College

Life Sciences

Department

Physiology and Developmental Biology

Abstract

In 1974, the first ulnar collateral ligament reconstructive surgery was performed on Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitcher, Tommy John. The damaged ligament of the medial elbow was repaired with tendons from the pitcher’s body. Since then, the surgery has been colloquially termed “Tommy John’s Surgery”, and the alarming increase of the rates of the procedure has now become a concern, being recently called an “epidemic” by the American Sports Medicine Institute¹. The procedure possesses risk of complications, and can lead to shortened careers, decreased performance over time², and can carry a heavy financial toll on individuals and athletic programs during the rehabilitation process.

Recommended Citation

Gamboa, Jakob and Wisco, Dr. Jonathan (2016) "Anatomical variation of the ulnar collateral ligament and implications for joing stability and surgical rehabilitation," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2016: Iss. 1, Article 176.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2016/iss1/176