title: Does well maintained graft provide consistent return to play after medial ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction of the elbow joint in elite baseball players?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several studies have reported the clinical outcomes of medial ulnar collateral ligament (MUCL) reconstruction of the elbow joint in throwing athletes, including the rate of return to sports. However, little has been known about the imaging outcomes after MUCL reconstruction. The aim of this study is to report the clinical and imaging outcomes after MUCL reconstruction using figure of eight fashion in the elite and professional baseball players.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study included 17 baseball players, who underwent MUCL reconstruction between July 2007 and May 2010. The average follow-up period was 48.6 months. Imaging assessment consisted of preoperative plain and stress radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging, and postoperative serial ultrasonography. The clinical assessments were composed of visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, range of motion, and the Conway scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean VAS score was 6.4 (range, 3 to 8) preoperatively and 2.2 (range, 0 to 4) postoperatively (p < 0.05). There were nine players (53%) classified as excellent who returned to sports at the same or higher level compared to preinjury. Serial ultrasonography revealed well-maintained grafts at 3 and 12 months in all of the players. Five out of 17 players showed decreased echogenecity in the common flexor tendon at 3 months, which was considered as remaining tissue swelling and resolved completely at 12 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All grafts are well-maintained until 12-months based on the ultrasonographic findings, although only 53% of the players returned to preinjury level.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jin-Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung-Soo
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung-Chul
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Bahng
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seok-Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jin-Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001484:Baseball / Q000293:injuries*; D017885:Collateral Ligaments / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D020127:Recovery of Function; D019737:Transplants / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult; D000092464:Elbow Injuries
keywords: Baseball players; Medial ulnar collateral ligament; Reconstruction; Ultrasonography