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Physiology

Brigham Young University

Journal

Ulnar collateral ligament

Publication Year

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Anatomical Variation Of The Ulnar Collateral Ligament And Implications For Joing Stability And Surgical Rehabilitation, Jakob Gamboa, Dr. Jonathan Wisco Feb 2016

Anatomical Variation Of The Ulnar Collateral Ligament And Implications For Joing Stability And Surgical Rehabilitation, Jakob Gamboa, Dr. Jonathan Wisco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In 1974, the first ulnar collateral ligament reconstructive surgery was performed on Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitcher, Tommy John. The damaged ligament of the medial elbow was repaired with tendons from the pitcher’s body. Since then, the surgery has been colloquially termed “Tommy John’s Surgery”, and the alarming increase of the rates of the procedure has now become a concern, being recently called an “epidemic” by the American Sports Medicine Institute1. The procedure possesses risk of complications, and can lead to shortened careers, decreased performance over time2, and can carry a heavy financial toll on individuals and …


Microarchitectural Analysis Of The Ulnar Collateral Ligament To Inform Its Reconstruction, Jakob Gamboa, Dr. Jonathan Wisco May 2015

Microarchitectural Analysis Of The Ulnar Collateral Ligament To Inform Its Reconstruction, Jakob Gamboa, Dr. Jonathan Wisco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Ligaments are specialized connective tissues that stabilize the different synovial joints found in the body. Ligaments consist of fibroblast cells surrounded by a framework of dense fibrous bands of collagen, which anchor to bones to provide support and elasticity. Their varying biomechanical functions in different locations of the body require diversity in matrix composition, shape, density, and arrangement to adapt to the complex functions they perform. These characteristics may even vary within different regions of the same ligament. Damage to ligaments compromises integrity and movement of the joint and can lead to serious complications.