title: Outcomes for ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction: a retrospective review using the KJOC assessment score with two-year follow-up in an overhead throwing population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Injury to the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) often results in valgus elbow instability requiring reconstruction. No standardized and validated outcome measure has compared outcomes between surgical techniques and institutions in the overhead throwing athlete. The aim of this study was to use the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic shoulder and elbow score (KJOC score) to report functional outcomes in overhead throwing athletes undergoing UCL reconstruction. We predict that the KJOC score in our general throwing population will provide an accurate assessment of postoperative outcomes consistent with previously published reports.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review of 33 patients undergoing UCL reconstruction was carried out during a 5-year period between 2004 and 2009. Minimum follow-up was 2.2 years with an average of 3.7 years. All surgeries were performed by fellowship-trained surgeons using either the docking (n = 12) or modified Jobe technique (n = 21). Age, sport, position, and return to play status were obtained. The KJOC score was administered to assess final functional outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 33 athletes underwent UCL reconstruction-30 baseball players and 3 javelin throwers. Of these, 27 (82%) returned to their sport at their previous level in an average of 12.25 months. The overall average KJOC score was 76. Athletes who returned to their previous level of play had a mean KJOC score of 77. Those who were unable to return to play had a mean score of 69.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study demonstrates consistent outcomes for UCL reconstruction using the KJOC shoulder and elbow score compared with previously reported data.
authors.affiliation: Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Electronic address: dfo004@jefferson.edu.
authors.forename: Daniel F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.affiliation: Great Lakes Orthopaedic Center, Traverse City, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: O'Hagan
authors.affiliation: University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.affiliation: Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, USA.
authors.forename: Alfred W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Atanda
authors.affiliation: Rothman Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Sommer
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hammoud
authors.affiliation: Rothman Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Steven B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.affiliation: Rothman Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Ciccotti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001484:Baseball / Q000293:injuries*; D017885:Collateral Ligaments / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000068958:Return to Sport; D014142:Track and Field / Q000293:injuries*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult; D000092464:Elbow Injuries
keywords: KJOC score; UCL reconstruction; validated assessment tool