Editorial Commentary: Ulnar Collateral Ligament Repair With Suture Augmentation May Be Superior to Reconstruction for Proximal or Distal Tears With Good- Quality Tissue.

Abstract

Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tears in the elbow have been rising in recent years, most specifically in baseball players. Although many of these tears occur in professional (minor and major league) baseball pitchers, there has been a dramatic rise in UCL injuries in adolescents, at a rate of 9% per year. Although some UCL tears can be treated conservatively, those that fail conservative treatment often require surgical intervention to allow players to return to sport. Although UCL reconstruction has been the gold standard in surgical treatment for many years, UCL repair with suture augmentation has grown in popularity. Initial results of UCL repair with suture augmentation have been promising, and a recent review comparing UCL repair with suture augmentation from both a biomechanical and clinical outcome perspective confirms that UCL repair may be superior to reconstruction for patients with proximal or distal tears and good quality UCL tissue for repair.