Abstract:
Background: The number of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction surgeries has increased by 343% from 2003 to 2014. Athletes undergoing UCL reconstruction risk an 83% return to play (RTP) rate and average rehabilitation time of 20.5 months. The use of platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections to improve conservative outcomes and avoid invasive surgery has become a topic of interest for rehabilitating these injuries. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to synthesize the current literature and compare non-operative alternatives of PRP injections and conservative therapy (CT) on the RTP outcomes for overhead throwing athletes with partial UCL tears. Methods: The included studies examined the return to play outcomes of overhead throwing athletes with partial UCL injuries treated with either PRP injections followed by CT or CT alone. Data were analyzed to determine the grand odds ratio as well as homogeneity across the studies. Results: Treatment with PRP injection and CT interventions are shown to yield an improved likelihood that the athlete will be able to RTP compared to CT alone with a grand odds ratio of 10.80. Conclusion: This meta-analysis demonstrates superior RTP outcomes for athletes with partial UCL injuries treated with PRP injections and CT when compared to CT alone.
