UCL Reconstruction — Elbow UCL Reconstruction

UW Health Sports Medicine · UW Health Sports Rehabilitation; UW Health Sports Medicine physician group

Weight-Bearing

N/A (elbow surgery)

Key Restrictions

Week 1: hard brace at 90°; Week 2: hinged brace 30°-100°; Week 3: 15°-110°; brace discontinued 6-8 weeks; no valgus stress throughout; no running/jumping until Phase IV (75% speed week 16); ice 15-20 min after rehab; RTS competitive throwing 8-12 months

Timeline & Phases

Phase I (0-3 wks): immobilized 90°, sub-max isometrics wk2; Phase II (4-8 wks): hinged brace ROM progressions, isotonics, no running/jumping; Phase III (9-12 wks): full ROM by wk10, eccentrics, no running/jumping; Phase IV (13-20 wks): arm >45° ABD, 2-hand plyometrics, throwing mechanics education, running 75% wk16; Phase V (21-36 wks): interval throwing program wk28, sport-specific, RTS 8-12 months

Notes

Tommy John surgery for UCL tears in overhead/throwing athletes. Docking or figure-8 tendon graft technique. Flexor muscles split (not detached). Ulnar nerve may be rerouted anteriorly if irritated. RTS competitive throwing 8-12 months; not all athletes return. Updated 3/2018. Copyright 2018.

Surgeon / Author

UW Health Sports Rehabilitation; UW Health Sports Medicine physician group

Published

2018-03