Reconstruction of the ulnar collateral ligament using a free tendon
graft was performed on sixteen athletes. All participated in sports that
involved throwing (mostly professional baseball), and all had valgus
instability of the elbow. After reconstruction and rehabilitation, ten of
the sixteen patients returned to their previous level of participation in
sports, one returned to a lower level of participation, and five retired
from professional athletics. Despite precautions, there was a high
incidence of complications related to the ulnar nerve. Two patients had
postoperative ulnar neuropathy (one late and one early) that required a
secondary operation, but they eventually recovered completely. Three others
reported some transient postoperative hypoesthesia along the ulnar aspect
of the forearm that resolved after a few weeks or months.