The Sports Docs Podcast
Sports medicine is a constantly evolving field, with hundreds of new articles published each month on the topic. This ever-growing wealth of information can make it challenging to stay updated on the newest approaches and techniques, and to know which data should actually change your practice. Join orthopedic surgeons, Dr. Catherine Logan and Dr. Ashley Bassett, as they chat about the most recent developments in sports medicine and dissect through all the noise.
On each episode of The Sports Docs podcast, the hosts will tackle a specific injury – from ACL tears to shoulder instability – and review the top research from various high-impact journals that month, including The American Journal of Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Sports Health, Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, and more. The Sports Docs will also be joined by experts in the field of sports medicine – orthopedic surgeons, nonoperative sports medicine specialists, athletes, physical therapists, athletic trainers and others – to provide a fresh and well-rounded perspective based on their unique experiences.
The Sports Docs – Dr. Logan & Dr. Bassett – are friends & former co-residents from the Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency Program, who went onto esteemed sports medicine fellowships at The Steadman Clinic and The Rothman Institute, respectively. Dr. Logan practices in Denver, CO, and serves as Team Physician for Men's USA Lacrosse & as a Team Physician for U.S. Ski & Snowboard. Dr. Bassett is the director of the Women’s Sports Medicine Center at the Orthopedic Institute of New Jersey and practices across northern NJ, primarily in Morris and Sussex Counties.
Together, they will bring monthly conversations on how to care for athletes of all ages and levels of play, with a healthy mix of cutting-edge science and real-world application.
The Sports Docs Podcast
170: A League of Their Own: Advancements in UCL Surgery
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Modern Surgical Management of Elbow UCL Tears
Live from the Arthrex Team Physician Controversies
🎧 Episode Summary
In this episode of The Sports Docs Podcast, Dr. Ashley Bassett and Dr. Catherine Logan sit down LIVE from the Arthrex Team Physician Controversies with two leaders in sports medicine—Dr. Neal ElAttrache and Dr. Jeffrey Dugas—to discuss the modern management of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries in throwing athletes.
Highlights
Changing UCL Injury Landscape
- Increasing incidence of UCL injuries and surgeries across all levels of play
- Notable rise in adolescent and collegiate pitchers
- Contributing factors include year-round play and high pitch velocity
Nonoperative Management & Role of PRP
- Nonoperative treatment remains appropriate for select partial tears
- Success varies based on tear grade and location
- PRP discussed as an adjunct to rehab
Indications for Surgery
- Complete tears—especially in competitive throwers—often require surgical intervention
- Tear characteristics (location, tissue quality, chronicity) are critical in decision-making
UCL Repair with Internal Brace
- Increasingly utilized in appropriately selected patients
- Ideal candidates:
- Acute injuries
- Proximal or distal avulsion tears
- Good tissue quality
- Advantages:
- High return-to-play (~90%+)
- Accelerated recovery timelines (often several months faster)
UCL Reconstruction (Tommy John Surgery)
- Remains the gold standard for:
- Chronic degeneration
- Midsubstance tears
- Revision cases
- Techniques have evolved over time:
- Docking technique
- Figure-of-eight
- Newer fixation methods (e.g., cortical button techniques)
- Autograft (commonly palmaris longus) remains preferred in elite throwers
Internal Brace Technology
- Provides added stability and resistance to valgus stress
- Supports early rehabilitation while protecting healing tissue
- Increasing use in both repair and, selectively, reconstruction
Key Takeaways
- UCL injuries are increasing, particularly in younger athletes
- Treatment decisions are increasingly personalized based on tear type and athlete profile
- UCL repair with Internal Brace is shifting the paradigm for select patients
- Reconstruction remains essential for more complex or chronic injuries
Featured Guests
- Dr. Neal ElAttrache – Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic, Head Team Physician for the LA Dodgers & LA Rams
- Dr. Jeffrey Dugas – Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center, leading expert in UCL repair and reconstruction
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