Elbow Injuries Treatment with Internal Braces
Complex elbow injuries — including ligament tears, severe dislocations, and UCL damage — have traditionally required extensive reconstructive surgery and prolonged recovery periods that can sideline athletes and active patients for months. Internal bracing represents one of the most significant advances in elbow surgery in recent years, offering a less invasive alternative that stabilizes the damaged ligament with a high-strength suture tape while the body’s own tissue heals around it. This technique allows for earlier range of motion, faster rehabilitation, and a more natural return to function compared to conventional reconstruction — making it an increasingly preferred option for elbow injuries that demand both structural stability and accelerated recovery.
Dr. Jonathan Glashow is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and Clinical Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, with over 30 years of experience at the forefront of sports medicine innovation. Widely recognized as an early adopter of advanced surgical techniques — including performing the first commercial ACL repair using BEAR implant technology — Dr. Glashow brings that same forward-thinking approach to internal brace procedures for the elbow. As Chief Medical Officer for the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia 76ers, he manages UCL injuries and complex elbow dislocations in professional athletes under conditions where return-to-play timelines are critical. A Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and a Castle Connolly Top Doctor every year since 2000, he offers internal brace treatment at his Upper East Side practice in New York City.
What Is an Internal Elbow Brace?
The use of internal elbow braces is a newer technique to repair complicated elbow injuries. One use of the internal elbow brace is to repair the ulnar collateral ligament, or UCL. A UCL injury is a common injury in baseball players that has typically been repaired with Tommy John surgery. The internal brace is less invasive, repairing the ligament with bracing tape that can help stabilize the elbow joint. The advantages are a less invasive procedure with a quicker recovery and more natural function to recover from a complex elbow dislocation injury.
The team at Jonathan Glashow, MD, Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine has worked with professional athletes that require the highest level of orthopedic treatment to return to their profession. Dr. Glashow offers the most advanced options in sports injury and trauma treatment, including new techniques like complex elbow dislocation treatment with internal braces. Contact our clinic in Manhattan to schedule a consultation if you need an elbow injury treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Internal Brace for Elbow Injuries
What is an internal brace for the elbow?
An internal brace is a high-strength suture tape that is surgically anchored to the bones on either side of a damaged ligament — most commonly the ulnar collateral ligament on the inner side of the elbow. Rather than replacing the ligament entirely, the internal brace acts as a reinforcement that stabilizes the joint and protects the healing tissue while the body’s own ligament repairs itself. This approach preserves the native ligament, allows for earlier movement after surgery, and typically results in a faster return to full activity compared to traditional ligament reconstruction.
How is the internal brace different from Tommy John surgery?
Traditional Tommy John surgery — also known as UCL reconstruction — involves replacing the damaged ligament with a tendon graft harvested from another part of the body. Recovery from this procedure typically takes twelve to eighteen months. The internal brace technique, by contrast, repairs and reinforces the existing ligament rather than replacing it, which preserves the patient’s native tissue and significantly shortens the rehabilitation timeline. For many patients — particularly those whose UCL damage is caught early — the internal brace can offer comparable or superior stability with a substantially faster return to throwing and other overhead activities.
Who is a good candidate for the internal brace procedure?
The internal brace is best suited for patients with acute or partial UCL tears — particularly when the ligament tissue is still of sufficient quality to heal with reinforcement. It is also used in complex elbow dislocations where multiple ligaments need stabilization. Dr. Glashow evaluates each patient with advanced imaging and a thorough clinical examination to determine whether the internal brace approach will provide a durable result or whether a more traditional reconstruction is necessary based on the extent of the damage.
What does recovery look like after internal brace surgery?
One of the primary advantages of the internal brace is an accelerated recovery timeline. Most patients begin gentle range-of-motion exercises within the first one to two weeks after surgery, and the suture tape provides enough stability to support early, progressive rehabilitation. Athletes can typically begin sport-specific training within three to six months — significantly earlier than the twelve-to-eighteen-month timeline associated with traditional UCL reconstruction. Dr. Glashow coordinates each patient’s rehabilitation closely with physical therapists and athletic trainers to ensure the elbow regains full strength and stability before returning to competition or heavy use.
Can the internal brace be used for injuries other than UCL tears?
Yes. While the internal brace is most commonly associated with UCL repair in the elbow, the technique can also be applied to stabilize the lateral collateral ligament complex following complex elbow dislocations, and it is used in other joints as well — including the ankle and knee. Dr. Glashow determines whether the internal brace is appropriate based on the specific injury pattern, the ligaments involved, and the patient’s activity demands.
Is the internal brace a permanent implant?
The suture tape used in the internal brace procedure is designed to remain in place permanently, acting as a long-term reinforcement for the healed ligament. In most cases, it does not need to be removed and does not interfere with normal joint function once healing is complete. The material is well tolerated by the body and has been used successfully in thousands of ligament repair procedures worldwide. If any issues were to arise, the device can be removed through a straightforward outpatient procedure.
