UCL injuries often happen during sports and fitness activities that can put stress on the inside part of the elbow:

• Repetitive throwing or other overhead motions
• Landing on the arm during a fall
• Having a direct force or blow to the outside of the elbow that makes the elbow collapse inward

Risk factors

There are a number of factors that increase your risk of a medial ulnar collateral ligament injury:

• Year-round throwing without allowing a period of down time for the arm
• Throwing at very high velocities
• High number of throws in a single day or back-to-back days
• Improper throwing mechanics
• Decreased shoulder range of motion or poor positioning of your shoulder blades
• Participation in sports that require weight bearing on the arms (gymnastics)
• Participation in contact sports where other athletes can fall into your elbow (football, wrestling, etc.)