| Title: | Rehabilitation after reconstruction of the ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow: a case study in women’s artistic gymnastics : diplomsko delo visokošolskega strokovnega študijskega programa prve bolonjske stopnje Fizioterapija |
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| Authors: | ID Boshnjak, Dino (Author)
ID Herc, Mladen (Mentor) More about this mentor...  |
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| Files: |  Boshnjak_Dino_dd_2026.pdf (1,86 MB)
MD5: D40662C64AD03C276D6EA9E2ED89BD63
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| Language: | English |
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| Work type: | Bachelor thesis/paper |
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| Typology: | 2.11 - Undergraduate Thesis |
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| Organization: | UAMEU - Alma Mater Europaea University
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| Abstract: | Background: Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries requiring surgical reconstruction are rare in non-throwing athletes. Nevertheless, the high axial and valgus loads on the elbow in women’s artistic gymnastics increase susceptibility to such injuries. Rehabilitation guidelines are mainly adapted from throwing sports, leaving limited evidence for non-throwing or gymnastics-specific management. Methods: This retrospective case study investigates an 18-year-old female high-level gymnast who sustained a complete UCL rupture following repeated traumatic injuries. Medical records were reviewed to assess injury progression, UCL reconstruction, and post-operative rehabilitation. Quantitative outcomes included pain scores, elbow range of motion, isokinetic dynamometry, and other strength and functional measures. Results were compared with established protocols for throwing athletes. Results: The athlete regained full elbow mobility, experienced reduced elbow pain, and achieved bilateral strength symmetry by week 26. She returned to competitive gymnastics with an excellent rating according to the Conway–Jobe criteria within 11 months. Variations from standard timelines – namely, achieving full extension, delayed strengthening progression, and extended non-weight-bearing – reflected adaptations to the sport’s upper-extremity loading profile. Clinical reasoning also highlighted proximal kinetic-chain deficits that possibly contributed to the injury. Conclusion: This case study shows that effective recovery after UCL reconstruction in non-throwing athletes is possible but can be quickly undermined by deficits in the kinetic chain. The findings highlight the rarity of surgically treated UCL injuries in this group and support the development of customised rehabilitation protocols instead of directly applying guidelines from throwing sports. |
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| Keywords: | elbow medial ulnar collateral ligament injury, UCL reconstruction, post-operative rehabilitation, non-throwing athlete, women’s artistic gymnastics |
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| Place of publishing: | Maribor |
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| Place of performance: | Maribor |
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| Publisher: | D. Boshnjak |
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| Year of publishing: | 2026 |
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| Year of performance: | 2026 |
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| Number of pages: | 52 str., [2] f. pril. |
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| PID: | 20.500.12556/ReVIS-14300 |
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| COBISS.SI-ID: | 285106947 |
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| UDC: | 617.573:615.82(043.2) |
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| Publication date in ReVIS: | 16.07.2026 |
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| Views: | 21 |
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| Downloads: | 0 |
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