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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02749760

Prevention of Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) Injuries in Minor League Pitchers

This is a study of the muscle stabilizers of the elbow with respect to the prevention of Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) injuries in pitchers. Pitchers are assessed at spring training and end of season for approximately 5 years. Pronator, flexor digitoum superficialis (FDS), and wrist flexion strength will be measured and correlated with upper extremity injuries and time missed from pitching. The investigators will also be measuring loss of strength over the season. The goal is to learn whether strength in these muscles prevents UCL injuries and finally whether these muscles can be strengthened to avoid such injuries.

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Key information

Conditions

Elbow Injuries Arm Injuries Complete Tear Ulnar Collateral Ligament Sprain Ulnar Collateral Ligament Strain of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Upper Extremity Injuries Wounds and Injuries

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Kansas Medical Center

Kansas City, Kansas, 66160, United States

About this study

The goal of this study is to assess whether the strengths of the secondary muscular stabilizers toward valgus stress at the elbow, the wrist flexors, flexor digitorum superficialis, and pronator teres emanating from the medial epicondyle, affect the incidence of ulnar collateral ligament injuries of the elbows in pitchers. Pitchers in the minor leagues of a single professional baseball club will have the strength of these secondary muscular stabilizers assessed and then correlated to ulnar collateral ligament injuries and time missed from baseball season and subsequent seasons. A secondary goal is to assess whether strengthening exercises targeted toward these muscular stabilizers of the elbow can decrease the incidence of ulnar collateral ligament injuries in young baseball pitchers. This could impact the field by changing the emphasis from reconstruction and rehabilitation of ulnar collateral ligament injuries to prevention.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Pitchers that are currently on a minor league baseball team.

Exclusion criteria

  • Pitchers that currently have upper extremity injuries or are in active rehab for upper extremity injury.

Treatment and study plan

Strengthening Program

Other

Strengthening programs may be established to target the stabilizers of the elbows

exercise program

Other

Exercise program may be established to target the stabilizers of the elbows.

Primary outcomes

  1. The Correlation of Strength to UCL Injuries in Minor League Pitchers

    Time frame: 5 years

    After measuring strength of elbow stabilizers for up to five years, we will determine whether strength correlates with UCL injuries.

Secondary outcomes

  1. The Diminution of Strength in Minor League Pitchers

    Time frame: 5 years

    We will measure the diminution of strength over the course of a baseball season.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Kansas Medical Center

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of Dynamic Stabilizers for Valgus Stability of the Elbow in Professional Baseball Players

Important dates

Study start
2014
Primary completion
2021
Study completion
2021
First posted
Apr 25, 2016
Registry last updated
Sep 27, 2024

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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