Athletic trainers are continually looking for strategies that can help support recovery, manage post-operative discomfort, and facilitate a safe return to sport. This case study highlights the use of red light therapy as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation program following ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) repair and ulnar nerve transposition in a high school athlete.
Patient History
The patient was a 17-year-old multi-sport high school athlete who sustained a partial avulsion injury to the distal portion of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) while playing summer travel baseball. As a catcher, he experienced significant elbow pain and mechanical symptoms after attempting a throw to second base. Initial pain was reported as 7 out of 10. Clinical findings included tenderness along the distal UCL, muscle spasms within the common flexor muscle group, and neurological symptoms consistent with ulnar nerve irritation during throwing activities. These findings suggested elbow instability under valgus stress.
Initial Management and Surgical Intervention
Conservative management was attempted first. The athlete avoided throwing activities for approximately four months and gradually returned to weight training and football participation based on symptom tolerance.
During the following high school baseball season, the athlete experienced a reinjury while making a long throw from the outfield. Due to the recurrent instability and symptoms, surgical intervention was performed. The procedure included:
- UCL repair with internal bracing
- Ulnar nerve transposition
Following surgery, a structured rehabilitation program was initiated to restore function and support return-to-play goals.
Integrating Red Light Therapy into Post-Operative Care
Red light therapy was introduced approximately 24 hours after surgery. The primary objectives were to:
- Help manage post-operative pain
- Reduce swelling
- Support tissue healing during the early recovery phase
The athlete required minimal pain medication immediately following surgery and discontinued its use within 48 hours. Red light therapy treatments were administered daily for approximately four weeks as part of the broader rehabilitation strategy.
For athletic trainers, red light therapy may offer a practical adjunct to traditional rehabilitation approaches when incorporated alongside:
- Range of motion exercises
- Progressive strengthening
- Functional movement training
- Sport-specific rehabilitation activities
Outcomes
The athlete's recovery progressed favorably despite the complexity of the injury and surgical procedure.
Key observations included:
- Low pain levels throughout rehabilitation
- Healthy incision healing
- Consistent progression through rehabilitation milestones
- Successful return to contact activities with the football team at approximately three months post-surgery
The athlete continued to report positive outcomes and was expected to begin a structured throwing progression around five months after surgery. Throughout football participation, he continued using red light therapy as needed to help manage soreness associated with athletic activity.
Months Takeaways for Athletic Trainers
Post-operative elbow injuries, particularly those involving UCL repair, require a comprehensive rehabilitation approach focused on pain management, tissue healing, progressive loading, and sport-specific return-to-play criteria.
In this case, red light therapy was introduced early in the recovery process and used consistently alongside traditional rehabilitation interventions. The athlete experienced low reported pain levels, favorable incision healing, and steady progression back to athletic participation. While individual outcomes will vary, this case demonstrates how red light therapy can be incorporated as a supportive modality within a broader evidence-informed rehabilitation program.
Recap
Looking to add red light therapy to your athletic training toolkit? Explore Medco's selection of red light therapy solutions designed to support recovery, rehabilitation, and athlete performance.
This is the last in a series of articles covering clinical applications of red light therapy. View all the articles with the links below:
- Red Light Therapy in Your Clinic: What is RLT?
- Red Light Therapy Tools to Use in Clinical Settings
- Practical Application of Red Light Therapy in Your Clinic
- The Financial Role of Red Light Therapy in Your Clinic
- Stacking Red Light Therapy with Other Modalities
- Case Study: Red Light Therapy for Neuropathy
- Case Study: Red Light Therapy for Achilles Tendonitis
- Case Study: Red Light Therapy for a Post-Operative Elbow Patient
Keep and eye on our article homepage for more series like this one!
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided on this site, including text, graphics, images, and other material are for informational purposes only and are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
