Surgical procedures
Elbow ligament repairs
Repairing or reconstructing the ligaments that keep the elbow stable, including UCL and LCL injuries from throwing, falls, and dislocations.
Stability restoration
Outpatient
Return to sport
What is an elbow ligament repair?
Two ligament complexes keep the elbow hinge stable: the UCL on the inner side, stressed heavily by throwing, and the LCL on the outer side, commonly injured in falls and dislocations.
When a ligament tears and the elbow stays loose or painful, surgery either repairs the ligament directly, sometimes reinforced with a strong internal brace, or reconstructs it with a tendon graft.
What & why
Why it's recommended
Instability after an elbow dislocation
A UCL injury in a throwing athlete that fails rehabilitation
Chronic looseness causing pain, clicking, or apprehension
A complete tear in a patient who needs a stable elbow for sport or work
At a glance
Repair Or Reconstruct
Fresh, good-quality ligament tears can often be repaired and reinforced; chronic or poor-quality tears are reconstructed with a graft. Dr. Cohn tailors the approach to the tissue and your goals.
Anesthesia & hospital stay
The day of surgery
The procedure takes about one to one and a half hours. You'll be fully asleep, often with a regional arm block.
General anesthesia
Completely asleep, often with a regional arm block.
1–1.5 hours
Depending on repair versus reconstruction.
Home same day
Elbow ligament surgery is an outpatient procedure.
Outpatient setting
Performed at Summit Atlantic Surgery Center or Overlook.
Recovery timeline & milestones
Protect
A splint, then a hinged brace protects the healing ligament.
Restore motion
The brace opens progressively as therapy restores motion.
Strengthen
Progressive strengthening of the arm and shoulder.
Return to sport
A staged return; throwers follow a structured throwing program.
What recovery looks like
A hinged brace protects the healing ligament while motion returns gradually, followed by a structured strengthening and, for athletes, a throwing progression.
Risks & benefits
Weighing the procedure
- Restores a stable, trustworthy elbow
- Relieves pain and apprehension with loading
- Allows return to throwing and overhead sport
- Internal brace techniques can shorten recovery for repairable tears
- Temporary irritation of the ulnar nerve on the inner elbow
- Stiffness during recovery
- Graft or repair stretch with premature return, uncommon
- Infection, uncommon
Treats these conditions
This procedure treats elbow instability after dislocations and ligament injuries, often alongside elbow fractures.
FAQ
Common questions
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UCL reconstruction is commonly known as Tommy John surgery. Whether you need a repair or full reconstruction depends on the tear and the quality of the ligament.
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Throwers begin a structured throwing program around four to five months, with full competitive return typically between nine and twelve months for reconstruction, sooner for some repairs.
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Sometimes. Persistent instability after a dislocation, or pain with everyday loading, can justify repair regardless of sport.
Related conditions