In-Season, Non-Surgical Management of Ulnar Nerve Subluxation One Year Post-Tommy John Surgery in a Collegiate Wrestler
Faculty Mentor
John Gerber
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
4-14-2026 2:00 PM
End Date
4-14-2026 4:00 PM
Location
PUB NCR
Primary Discipline of Presentation
Exercise Science
Abstract
Non-surgical, in-season management centers on activity modification, splinting, physical therapy, and pain control, but outcomes are often poor if subluxation or sensory deficits are present. Initial management should include patient education and avoidance of repeated elbow flexion and hyper-flexed postures, especially during sport-specific activities. Physical therapy is essential, focusing on progressive range of motion, strengthening, and rehabilitation of the kinetic chain. Bracing may be used for joint protection during in-season activity, and rehabilitation protocols should be tailored to the athlete’s sport demands. For pain control, short-term NSAIDs may be used, but opioids and corticosteroid injections should be avoided due to limited efficacy and potential risks, including ligament weakening. Importantly, persistent sensory or motor deficits, hand numbness, or failure of conservative management are strong predictors of poor outcomes and often necessitate surgical intervention. Ulnar nerve subluxation itself is associated with a higher likelihood of non-surgical treatment failure in athletes, especially if accompanied by hand numbness or residual UCL injury. There is limited evidence on optimal in-season management for athletes with ulnar nerve subluxation post-UCLR, and further research is needed to guide sport-specific protocols. In summary, while non-surgical management can be attempted, close monitoring for neurological symptoms is critical, and surgical options may ultimately be required if conservative measures fail.
Recommended Citation
Hoff, Jadon, "In-Season, Non-Surgical Management of Ulnar Nerve Subluxation One Year Post-Tommy John Surgery in a Collegiate Wrestler" (2026). 2026 Symposium. 12.
https://dc.ewu.edu/srcw_2026/ps_2026/p3_2026/12
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
In-Season, Non-Surgical Management of Ulnar Nerve Subluxation One Year Post-Tommy John Surgery in a Collegiate Wrestler
PUB NCR
Non-surgical, in-season management centers on activity modification, splinting, physical therapy, and pain control, but outcomes are often poor if subluxation or sensory deficits are present. Initial management should include patient education and avoidance of repeated elbow flexion and hyper-flexed postures, especially during sport-specific activities. Physical therapy is essential, focusing on progressive range of motion, strengthening, and rehabilitation of the kinetic chain. Bracing may be used for joint protection during in-season activity, and rehabilitation protocols should be tailored to the athlete’s sport demands. For pain control, short-term NSAIDs may be used, but opioids and corticosteroid injections should be avoided due to limited efficacy and potential risks, including ligament weakening. Importantly, persistent sensory or motor deficits, hand numbness, or failure of conservative management are strong predictors of poor outcomes and often necessitate surgical intervention. Ulnar nerve subluxation itself is associated with a higher likelihood of non-surgical treatment failure in athletes, especially if accompanied by hand numbness or residual UCL injury. There is limited evidence on optimal in-season management for athletes with ulnar nerve subluxation post-UCLR, and further research is needed to guide sport-specific protocols. In summary, while non-surgical management can be attempted, close monitoring for neurological symptoms is critical, and surgical options may ultimately be required if conservative measures fail.
