Medial UCL Elbow Introduction

In this introductory video, Dr. Grant H. Garcia pivots his sports medicine series to the medial (inside) side of the elbow, introducing injuries to the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL).

Here is a summary of the core points he discusses:

• Complex Elbow Dislocations: Dr. Garcia notes that severe elbow dislocations can sometimes cause extensive damage across the entire joint. While rare, he treats complex cases where both the lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL on the outside) and the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL on the inside) are completely torn and require simultaneous surgical reconstruction.
• High-Profile Sports Injuries: The UCL is most famously known as the "Tommy John" ligament. Because it stabilizes the elbow against intense twisting forces, injuries are incredibly common in overhead throwing athletes, such as baseball pitchers and javelin throwers. He also highlights high-profile NFL quarterbacks—mentioning Ben Roethlisberger and Brock Purdy—as prime examples of athletes who have put this specific injury in the national spotlight.
• The Power of the Patient's History: Understanding that these injuries present in different variations, Dr. Garcia emphasizes that the critical first step to a proper diagnosis is simply listening to the athlete's story. Whether it is a baseball pitcher or a football player, their description of how the pain started and what movements trigger it will usually give the specialist the exact clinical answers needed to guide treatment.