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Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury pp 79–91Cite as

Ultrasound Imaging of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury

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Abstract

Injury of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) is common in overhead-throwing athletes leading to significant functional limitations and disability. Treatment of UCL injury requires a prolonged rehabilitation prior to returning to full activity. UCL injury, however, can be diagnostically challenging for even the most experienced orthopaedic surgeon. Traditionally, orthopaedists have utilized static imaging studies such as plain X-ray, stress radiography and magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance arthrography (MRI/MRA), but these are time consuming, costly, and may be accompanied by radiation exposure. Ultrasonography complements conventional imaging by providing a rapid, low-cost, non-invasive, dynamic assessment of medial elbow stability including visualization and evaluation of the anterior band of the UCL. Currently, stress ultrasound can be particularly beneficial when evaluating partial tears of the UCL, athletes that have failed non-operative treatment, or in the setting of recurrent injury. Stress ultrasonography adds to the diagnostic evaluation of UCL injury in the overhead-throwing athlete.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Everett J. and Marian Gordon Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery; Chief, Division of Sports Medicine; Director, Sports Medicine Fellowship and Research; Head Team Physician, Philadelphia Phillies Baseball and St. Joseph’s University, The Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Michael G. Ciccotti M.D.

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Michael C. Ciccotti M.D.

  3. Professor of Radiology; Vice Chair of Education, Department of Radiology, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Levon N. Nazarian M.D.

Authors
  1. Michael C. Ciccotti M.D.
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  2. Levon N. Nazarian M.D.
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  3. Michael G. Ciccotti M.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael G. Ciccotti M.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA

    Joshua S. Dines

  2. Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA

    David W. Altchek

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Ciccotti, M., Nazarian, L., Ciccotti, M. (2015). Ultrasound Imaging of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury. In: Dines, J., Altchek, D. (eds) Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-7540-9_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-7540-9_9

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-7539-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-7540-9

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