APEX Elbow Mastering Surgical Techniques for Clinical Success-UCL RECONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE: SURGICAL PEARLS, GRAFT SELECTION AND AUGMENTATION INDICATIONS

UCL RECONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE: SURGICAL PEARLS, GRAFT SELECTION AND AUGMENTATION INDICATIONS

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Dr. Sabo discusses advancements in treating elbow injuries in throwers, marking 50 years since Tommy John's pioneering surgery. The increasing pitch velocity and spin have led to more UCL injuries, especially in youth athletes, causing a rise in Tommy John surgeries. Traditional techniques show rising failure rates with evolving gameplay demands. He highlights the use of internal brace repair and a hybrid reconstruction combining repair with tendon grafts to improve outcomes. Imaging advances, such as the "fever view" MRI, aid in diagnosis and surgical planning. Dr. Sabo details surgical techniques including tunnel drilling and protecting native anatomy to enhance healing. Postoperative protocols tailor throwing progressions based on player level. Results from over 300 internal brace procedures show low failure and complication rates, while hybrid reconstructions show promise even in high-level athletes and revision cases. Despite progress, increasing pitch velocity and ball movement trends contribute to a growing injury epidemic challenging current treatments.

Asset Caption

Keith Meister MD

Keywords

Tommy John surgery

UCL injuries

internal brace repair

hybrid reconstruction

fever view MRI

pitch velocity increase