Return to Play After PRP and Rehabilitation of 3 Elite Ice Hockey Players With Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries of the Elbow

Background:Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury is a well-described etiology of pain and decreased performance for the overhead athlete. Despite a growing volume of literature regarding the treatment of these injuries for overhead athletes, there is a paucity of such data regarding stickhandling collision sport athletes, such as ice hockey players.Purpose/Hypothesis:The purpose of this study was to characterize this injury among 3 elite ice hockey players and to describe the ability of these athletes to return to play, as well as to review the unique sport-specific implications of this injury, evaluation, nonsurgical management, and considerations for return to play. The authors hypothesized that elite ice hockey players will be able to return to play at the same level following nonoperative treatment of UCL injury.Study Design:Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods:Data from 3 elite professional ice hockey players who sustained a high-grade injury to the UCL were retrospectively reviewed. All athlet...