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In baseball, the elbow joint is key; it’s necessary for throwing, catching and swinging the bat. With baseball season fully underway, the sports page headlines have become rife with news of big league players suffering elbow injuries. One of the most prevalent such baseball injuries stems from issues with the ulnar collateral ligament, or UCL, located at the elbow joint.
When a person twists or bends the elbow, specifically a repetitive throwing motion, the UCL, is placed under extreme stress. According to orthopedic surgeon Dr. Andrew Bulczynski, the motion can cause the ligament to fray, stretch, and even tear. Over time, the UCL can develop tiny or large tears, causing elbow pain and instability.
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