Medial Elbow Collateral Ligament Sprain

What is a medial collateral ligament injury of the elbow?

The medial elbow ligaments are situated on the inside of the elbow and help provide stability to the joint. Damage to these ligaments can occur through impact injury or accident or from repetitive oversuse for example throwing with poor technique. For example Javelin throwers who throw with a low elbow.

Symptoms

• Tenderness and pain when pressing in on the area of the ligament.
• Pain and possibly instability when stressing the ligament (straighten the arm and aim to bend the arm sideways against the ligaments).

Treatment

• Rest - if caught early enough simply modifying technique to avoid stressing the ligaments may be enough. However full rest may be necessary.
• Ice or cold therapy to reduce pain and inflammation.
• Ultrasound therapy.
• Application of tape to protect the ligaments.
• Surgery may be perform to reconstruct the ligaments however this is a very last resort as results are not often good.