02/06/2026
Have you recently faced the daunting challenge of a UCL tear? As a pitcher, this injury can feel overwhelming, but fear not! With the right support and a well-structured rehab plan, you can bounce back stronger than ever 💪
Let’s break down the journey of recovery into five crucial phases:
First up is THE INITIAL PHASE. Right after surgery, your arm is in a brace. This is the healing time—allowing your tissue to repair while we manage pain and reduce swelling. It's all about patience here, as this phase is strictly time-based.
Next, we advance to the CONTROLLED MOBILITY PHASE. The focus shifts to regaining mobility in your elbow. During this stage, we’ll work on muscle strength, helping restore your elbow’s range of motion. You’ll start lifting, but remember: no weight on that surgical arm just yet!
Now we move to the INTERMEDIATE PHASE, where the excitement kicks in! It’s time to aim for full, pain-free elbow motion without the brace. We’ll ramp up strength training for both your elbow and shoulder while gradually introducing weight back into your routine. This is your moment to get strong, focusing on grip strength and integrating everything back into your overall body mechanics.
We then enter the ADVANCED PHASE! Here’s where we get a taste of returning to the field. Power and plyometric exercises come into play, and soon enough, we’ll kick off an Interval Throwing Program. Before diving in, we make sure you’re ready: full mobility, equal shoulder strength, and stable arm function are all systems go!
Finally, it’s the RETURN TO PLAY PHASE! The moments we’ve all been waiting for! Once you’ve completed your throwing program—which includes everything from bullpens to simulated games—you’ll be ready to step back onto the field. Welcome back to the game you love!
Remember, recovery can take anywhere from 9 to 14 months, depending on your specific situation. If you’ve undergone a UCL repair or reconstruction, let us guide you through this challenging journey. We offer comprehensive rehab and strength training tailored to UCL injuries, ensuring you come back even better than before!
Ready to start? Click the link in our b!o to schedule your evaluation or consultation!