Abstract
Objectives:
The number of medial ulnar collateral ligament (MUCL) reconstructions are increasing. The epidemiology surrounding revision MUCL reconstructions in professional baseball players has not been well defined. The purpose of this study was to report the epidemiology of revision MUCL reconstruction in professional baseball players. The authors hypothesized that the number of revision MUCL reconstructions would increase over time and that the return to sport rate at the same level of play would be less than 70%.
Methods:
All professional baseball pitchers who underwent revision MUCL reconstruction between 2010-2023 were identified using the MLB Health and Injury Tracking System (HITS). Rate of return and time to return to play (RTP) and return to same level of play (RTSL) was recorded and analyzed for pitchers with a minimum follow up of 2 years. Surgical variables including technique and graft choice were also recorded.
Results:
Overall, 191 pitchers (avg age 26.0 years), underwent revision MUCL reconstruction. The average time between primary and revision surgery was 1,381 days (45 months). 130 (68%) of these players were MLB pitchers and the other 61 (32%) were MiLB pitchers. 59% of pitchers were able to RTSL at an average of 604 ± 250 days after surgery. 2023 was the year with most revision MUCL reconstructions (n = 27) and the fewest reconstructions were performed in 2010 and 2011 (n = 4). Monthly distribution demonstrates the highest surgery months to be May (17%), June (20%), and July (17%). Hamstring tendon autograft was found to be the most commonly used graft source (n = 90, 47%), compared to palmaris longus autograft (n = 67, 35%). No significant differences were found in the types of grafts used over time (P = .238 for palmaris and P = .133 for hamstring). In terms of tunnel configuration, both the Modified Jobe and Docking techniques were used in equal occurrence (n = 70, 37%)
Conclusions:
Following revision MUCL reconstruction, only 72% of professional baseball pitchers were able to return to play at any level at an average of 556 days (18 months), and only 59% were able to return to the same level of play at an average of 604 days (20 months). The average time between primary and revision MUCL reconstruction was 45 months (3.75 years). Pitchers should be counseled on the relatively low RTSL rate and the prolonged time to RTSL.