August 09, 2018
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MLB position players had similar return-to-sport rates as pitchers after UCL reconstruction

Results published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine showed similar return-to-sport rates between Major League Baseball position players and pitchers after elbow ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction.

Researchers collected demographic and performance data among MLB players who underwent elbow UCL reconstruction. Researchers compared the 33 players identified with matched controls. Researchers defined return to sport as playing at least one MLB game after UCL reconstruction.

Results showed 84.8% of MLB players returned to sport at a mean of approximately 336.9 days. However, compared with players younger than 30 years of age, researchers found a significantly lower return-to-sport rate among players who were 30 years of age or older. Researchers also noted a significantly shorter postoperative career length among catchers vs. matched controls. Compared with preoperative measures, results showed outfielders had a significantly lower postoperative wins above replacement. Cases and matched controls had no differences in performance, according to results. Researchers found 48% of players returned to a different position postoperatively. – by Casey Tingle

Disclosures: Jack reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.