UCL Repair / Reconstruction — (Elbow)

Samaritan Athletic Medicine / Samaritan Hand to Shoulder Orthopedics (SAM Health, Corvallis OR) · Kaitlyn Schlueter PT DPT SCS; Dr. Alexandra Makenzie

Weight-Bearing

N/A (upper extremity)

Key Restrictions

Hinged brace locked 90 deg wk 1-2, open 30-90 deg wk 2-3, open 10-110 deg wk 3-4; brace wean at 6 wks if full elbow AROM; avoid valgus stress at elbow Phase 1; avoid isolated hamstring if gracilis graft; no UE plyometrics prior to 12 wks; physician clearance required for sport Phase 5; full unrestricted sport typically 12+ months post-op

Timeline & Phases

5 phases: Phase 1 (0-4 wks), Phase 2 (4-8 wks), Phase 3 (8-12 wks), Phase 4 (12-16 wks), Phase 5 (16+ wks); 6-8 months formal rehab

Notes

Covers both UCL repair (with internal brace) and UCL reconstruction (Tommy John/tendon graft); Phase 1: locked brace, gripping isometrics, shoulder isometrics; Phase 2: progressive ROM, shoulder IR/ER isometrics, low-load valgus stress at wk 6-8; Phase 3: IR/ER at 90 deg abd, carry tasks, shoulder strength >=85% LSI for progression; Phase 4: double then single arm UE plyometrics; Phase 5: return-to-throw/swing program; References: Wilk KE JOSPT 2019, Kemler AJSM 2021

Surgeon / Author

Kaitlyn Schlueter PT DPT SCS; Dr. Alexandra Makenzie

Published

September 2024