UCL Repair — Thumb UCL Repair — Conservative

UW Health Orthopedic Surgery; UnityPoint Health - Meriter Rehabilitation

Weight-Bearing

NWB surgical UE

Key Restrictions

No lifting/pushing/pulling >5 lbs involved UE; no WB involved UE; no aggressive pinching/gripping; hand-based thumb spica full time early

Timeline & Phases

Phase I (10–14 days): hand-based thumb spica (MP protected from RU deviation) all time except hygiene; active wrist/finger/thumb IP A/AA/PROM; wound/scar/edema management | Phase II (4 wks): initiate thumb AROM; orthosis all time except bathing/exercises | Phase III (6 wks): light functional use without orthosis; PROM thumb avoiding lateral stress to MPJ; pain-free isometric strengthening; wean orthosis, night + heavy activities | Phase IV (8 wks): pain-free concentric grip/pinch; functional grip/pinching activities; full ROM; D/C orthosis (wear for heavy; static/dynamic progressive splint if ROM very limited) | Phase V (10–12 wks): no restrictions; work/leisure strengthening; D/C orthosis

Notes

Post-op for ≥50% UCL tear or Stener lesion; goal: stable pain-free thumb MP ROM; thumb AROM delayed to 4 weeks (cf. Early Mobilization protocol which begins thumb MPJ AROM at 10–14 days); developed collaboratively by UW Health and UnityPoint Health - Meriter Rehabilitation