AANA Elbow Arthroscopy - August 2024-UCL Repair and Augmentation with Collagen-Coated Fiber Tape (Internal Brace) in Overhead Throwing Athletes

UCL Repair and Augmentation with Collagen-Coated Fiber Tape (Internal Brace) in Overhead Throwing Athletes

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Jeff Dugas discusses UCL repair with internal brace, an alternative to traditional UCL reconstruction for athletes with minimal injuries and good tissue quality. Historically, UCL repair results were poor compared to reconstruction, but recent advances including strong anchors and sutures have improved outcomes. The internal brace technique, developed with Arthrex, uses fiber tape between anchors at the sublime tubercle and medial epicondyle to support the native ligament, showing less gap formation and excellent biomechanical properties in cadaver studies. Dugas presents the surgical approach, emphasizing accurate anchor placement and tension adjustment to avoid over-constraint. Clinical results from over 130 cases show about 92% return to play within six to seven months, with high success in partial tears and distal avulsions. Revisions after repair also show improved outcomes compared to traditional revision reconstructions. Overall, UCL repair with internal brace offers a less invasive, efficient option with comparable results to reconstruction for select athletes, including high school and collegiate levels across various sports.

Keywords

UCL repair

internal brace

athlete injuries

surgical technique

return to play