(Kiosk 2) Partial Tear of the Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) in the Elbow of a High School Pitcher Improved with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection: A Case Report

Case Diagnosis: Right elbow ulnar collateral ligament partial tear

Case Description or Program Description: 16-year-old male baseball player with 6 months of right medial elbow pain that gradually worsened during summer baseball. Initially treated with rest and NSAIDs, followed by bloodflow-restriction physical therapy and gradual return-to-throw program. His pain failed to improve, and patient obtained MR Arthrogram of the right elbow which showed partial UCL tear. UCL tear was also identified under dynamic ultrasound which also showed joint laxity with valgus stress. Patient subsequently underwent PRP injection to the right proximal UCL.

Setting: Sports Medicine Clinic

Assessment/Results: At one month post-injection, patient had complete resolution of pain. Dynamic ultrasound at that time showed no further laxity of the medial elbow with valgus stress. He completed gradual return-to-throw protocol and had no recurrence of symptoms.

Discussion (relevance): UCL injuries are increasing in prevalence in the overhead throwing athlete. Partial tears are typically managed non-operatively, but data is lacking regarding treatment protocols and outcomes.

Conclusions: Early studies have shown the efficacy of PRP injections in partial UCL tears with the potential to reduce return-to-play time and optimize outcomes. PRP appears to be a safe and beneficial treatment option in patients who have failed other conservative measures prior to considering surgical management.