Elbow ulnar collateral ligament injuries in athletes: Can we improve our outcomes?

Figure 1 Modified sleeper stretch. The athlete lies on her side with her scapula retracted, rotates slightly posteriorly to place the shoulder in the scapular plane (dashed line), and passively internally rotates the shoulder until a mild stretch is felt. Hold for 30 s, relax, and repeat 3 times.

Figure 2 Modified side-lying cross body stretch. The athlete lies on the affected shoulder and stabilizes the scapula by rotating posteriorly (dashed line) against the table as the shoulder is horizontally adducted (arrow). External rotation is restricted via counter pressure of the opposite forearm. Hold for 30 s, relax, and repeat 3 times.

Figure 3 Open book stretch. A: The athlete lies on the unaffected shoulder with hips and knees bent 90° and arms straight out in front of him; B: Opening the chest and laying the affected extremity on the opposite side and looking in the same direction stretches the pectoralis major and biceps short head. Hold for 90 s, relax, and repeat 3 times.

Figure 4 Corner stretch. The athlete faces a corner with the shoulders abducted, elbows flexed to 90° and slowly leans into the corner. Hold for 90 s, relax, and repeat 3 times.

Figure 5 Thrower’s ten program. The Thrower’s Ten Program is designed to exercise the major muscles necessary for throwing. The Program’s goal is to be an organized and concise exercise program. In addition, all exercises included are specific to the thrower and are designed to improve strength, power, and endurance of the shoulder complex musculature.