Ligament tears in the elbow can cause pain, weakness, and instability that make daily tasks and athletic activities difficult. Ligaments are tough bands of tissue that connect bone to bone, stabilizing joints during movement. When overstretched or torn, the joint loses support — leading to discomfort, swelling, and loss of strength.
The most common elbow ligament injury involves the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), which is critical for stabilizing the inner side of the joint. UCL injuries are common among throwing athletes (such as baseball players and javelin throwers), but they can also affect workers and active adults after trauma or repetitive strain.
At Dr. Burke Orthopedics, we help patients from Pearland, Houston, Friendswood, and Southeast Texas recover from ligament tears through precise diagnosis, personalized treatment, and advanced surgical techniques when needed.
The elbow joint is supported by three key ligaments:
- Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL): Stabilizes the inner (medial) side of the elbow, commonly injured in throwing sports.
- Radial Collateral Ligament (RCL): Supports the outer (lateral) side of the joint.
- Annular Ligament: Holds the radial head in place during forearm rotation.
A ligament tear may be partial (stretching and micro-tears) or complete (full rupture), leading to pain and instability. Over time, repeated strain without rest weakens the ligament, increasing the risk of significant injury.
Common Causes and Risk Factors
Common causes include:
- Repetitive overhead motion: Especially throwing, pitching, or lifting.
- Sudden trauma: Falls or impact to an outstretched arm.
- Overuse injuries: From repetitive occupational or athletic activity.
- Improper throwing mechanics: Increase stress on the UCL.
- Previous elbow injuries: Make ligaments more prone to re-tear.
Risk factors:
- Competitive throwing athletes (baseball, softball, tennis, javelin).
- Heavy labor occupations.
- Poor conditioning or muscle imbalance.
- Rapid return to activity after prior injury.
- Lack of proper warm-up or flexibility.
Symptoms of elbow ligament injuries vary based on severity but usually worsen with activity.
Common symptoms include:
- Pain or tenderness along the inner or outer elbow.
- Instability or looseness in the joint.
- Swelling and bruising after injury.
- Popping or tearing sensation at the moment of injury.
- Weakness during throwing or gripping.
- Numbness or tingling in severe cases (due to nearby nerve irritation).
If left untreated, chronic instability may lead to arthritis or tendon strain.
At Dr. Burke Orthopedics, diagnosis begins with a detailed physical and biomechanical evaluation by Dr. Robert L. Burke, who specializes in upper-extremity injuries.
Diagnostic process includes:
- Physical examination: Checking for tenderness, laxity, and range of motion.
- Valgus stress test: Detects instability and ligament laxity.
Imaging:
- X-rays: Rule out bone fractures or spurs.
- MRI or MR arthrogram: Provides detailed visualization of partial or complete ligament tears.
- Ultrasound: May be used dynamically to assess ligament integrity during movement.
Accurate diagnosis ensures the correct balance between conservative care and surgical reconstruction.
Treatment depends on injury severity, activity level, and recovery goals. Dr. Burke focuses on restoring joint stability and function using the least invasive method possible.
Non-Surgical Treatments
Partial tears and mild sprains can often heal with guided rehabilitation.
- Rest and activity modification: Avoiding aggravating motions.
- Anti-inflammatory medications: To reduce swelling and pain.
- Bracing: Provides stability during healing.
- Focuses on gradual strengthening of the forearm, shoulder, and core.
- Includes flexibility training and movement re-education.
- Addresses mechanics to reduce future stress on the elbow.
- Platelet-rich plasma injections promote tissue healing and collagen repair.
Most mild ligament injuries improve in 6–10 weeks with structured conservative care.
Surgical Treatments
Severe or complete ligament tears often require surgery to restore stability and allow return to normal activity.
UCL Reconstruction (Tommy John Surgery):
- The damaged ligament is replaced with a tendon graft, typically from the patient’s own body.
- Common in throwing athletes seeking to return to high-performance levels.
Primary Ligament Repair:
- Reattaches the torn ligament directly to bone, ideal for acute tears with good tissue quality.
- Used for minimally invasive evaluation and concurrent soft-tissue repair.
- For complex injuries involving multiple ligaments or chronic instability.
Surgical precision and post-operative rehabilitation are key to restoring full function.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Recovery varies based on injury severity and treatment approach.
Typical recovery timelines:
- Non-surgical: 6–10 weeks for daily activity and work.
- Surgical repair: 4–6 months for moderate activity.
- UCL reconstruction: 9–12 months for full athletic return.
Rehabilitation goals:
- Restore range of motion while protecting the repair.
- Strengthen muscles supporting the elbow and shoulder.
- Rebuild stability through kinetic chain training.
- Gradually reintroduce sport or work activity under medical supervision.
A structured physical therapy plan ensures optimal healing and prevents recurrence.
Long-Term Outlook and Prevention
With proper care and rehabilitation, most patients recover full stability and strength. For athletes, surgical reconstruction often allows safe return to throwing sports.
Prevention tips:
- Warm up and stretch before activity.
- Maintain strong shoulder and core muscles to reduce elbow strain.
- Avoid throwing or lifting through pain.
- Follow a progressive conditioning program between seasons.
- Use proper technique and rest between high-demand activities.
Ongoing maintenance exercises can help prevent re-injury and prolong joint health.
When to Seek Medical Care
Seek orthopedic evaluation if you experience:
- Persistent pain or instability after injury.
- Inability to throw, lift, or grip objects without discomfort.
- A “pop” followed by weakness or swelling.
- Recurring elbow pain with overhead or forceful use.
Early treatment prevents chronic instability and long-term complications.
Take the First Step Toward Recovery
If elbow pain, instability, or weakness is affecting your daily life or athletic performance, professional care can restore strength and stability.
At Dr. Burke Orthopedics, we provide advanced diagnosis and treatment for elbow ligament tears, including expert surgical reconstruction when needed.
We proudly serve Pearland, Houston, Friendswood, and Southeast Texas, combining precision medicine with compassionate care to help patients return to pain-free activity.
Call (713) 436-3488 or Request an Appointment Online to schedule your consultation with Dr. Robert L. Burke, board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports injury and ligament repair.
