A torn ligament on the inner elbow
A tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the elbow, known as a Tommy John injury, is common in baseball pitchers and overhead athletes, often requiring surgical reconstruction to return to throwing. Same-day or next-week evaluations across eight LA-area offices.
Board-certified surgeons and podiatrists across eight Los Angeles area neighborhoods.
Key takeaways
A tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the elbow, known as a Tommy John injury, is common in baseball pitchers and overhead athletes, often requiring surgical reconstruction to return to throwing. Symptoms can develop gradually or after a specific injury, so early evaluation matters when function starts to decline.
Treatment depends on the size of the tear and what you need the elbow to do. Partial tears often recover with rest from throwing, physical therapy, and a gradual return-to-throwing program; PRP injections are an option in select cases. Complete tears in athletes who want to return to throwing usually need surgery, either a repair or a reconstruction (Tommy John surgery).
Below, we walk through the anatomy involved, the symptoms and causes we most often see, how we diagnose a UCL tear, and the full range of treatment options, from the simplest to the most involved.
Like other joints, the elbow is held together by strong bands of tissue called "ligaments." On the elbow's inner side is the ulnar collateral ligament complex. We call it the "UCL." It's made of three bands that connect the humerus (the upper arm bone) to the lower arm's ulna. The UCL is the elbow ligament most often injured by baseball pitchers and by other athletes who play throwing sports.
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, which makes it vulnerable to instability and impingement. The elbow is a hinge that lets you reach, lift, and rotate the forearm. Both rely on tendons and ligaments that can tear or fray over time.
You want answers, fast, and we're built to give them. Most patients leave their first LAOSS visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan, not another referral chain.
Here's what your initial visit for a UCL tear typically looks like:
Schedule your evaluation at the LAOSS office nearest you.
Once we've confirmed the diagnosis, the next step is matching the right treatment to your situation. We start with the least-invasive option that fits, and escalate only when it doesn't.
Non-surgical options designed to relieve pain, restore movement, and avoid the OR when possible.
Minimally invasive and reconstructive procedures performed by board-certified orthopedic surgeons.
Shoulder & elbow care is highly technique-dependent. Volume, training, and judgment together determine the outcome you actually feel six months later.
Our shoulder & elbow specialists move stepwise: start with the least-invasive option that fits your situation, escalate only when it doesn't.
If most of these match your situation, an evaluation with a shoulder & elbow specialist is the next step.
These signs typically point toward an in-person evaluation with a shoulder & elbow specialist.
Your first visit is built to give you an answer the same day, not just another referral.
ImportantSeek urgent evaluation for sudden severe pain, numbness, progressive weakness, or any sign of infection (fever, increasing redness or swelling).
Recovery is rarely a straight line, but a clear plan with measurable milestones makes the path predictable.
In the first two weeks we focus on protecting the shoulder & elbow, calming inflammation, and restoring basic motion.
Targeted physical therapy rebuilds strength, mobility, and confidence in the shoulder & elbow.
Once function is restored, the focus shifts to keeping you there, and catching any recurrence early.
We talk through the risks and benefits with every patient. Informed consent is a conversation, not a form.
Every orthopedic intervention carries a small set of standard risks. We screen, prepare, and monitor for these on every patient.
Some risks are tied to the structures we're treating in the shoulder & elbow. We discuss these in detail at your visit so you can weigh them against the benefits.
At LAOSS, our shoulder & elbow specialists are board-certified and treat these problems every day. From minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to joint replacement and arthritis management, our physicians bring decades of experience to every case. We have cared for Los Angeles patients since 2007, with one goal for each: less pain, better movement, and a return to the activities you love.
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Shoulder & Elbow Surgeon
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Don't let a UCL tear be something you just power through. With same- or next-day appointments at multiple Los Angeles locations, you'll never wait weeks or months for answers. The same team handles your diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Whether you need physical therapy, injections, or surgery, we plan it with you and coordinate each step.
Call or schedule online today to see a shoulder & elbow specialist in Los Angeles.
Book a visit with a shoulder & elbow specialist at any of our eight Los Angeles-area offices.
