UCL Full Tear in Elbow. Need to Have Surgery

I was stemming/ mantling while bouldering and I heard a loud ripping sound.

Got an MRI and they found that it was a full tear on one end of the ligament and partial tear on the other. 

Surgeon said if I want to be doing those types of moves again in the future, I should get a surgery because it will never heal on its own.

Anyone has had this before?

Quency,

So sorry to hear about your injury.  I strained UCL while climbing.  Cut feet by accident with my arm in a compromising position.  Like an idiot i held on.  No full tear for me or surgery, just a strain. With PT/massage it subsided in a few months.  Still flares up from time to time.  Sorry not super helpful for your situation, just wanted to share my experience.  Best of luck with your recovery, hope you find a way to stay chipper.  Let us know how it goes. In the meantime, you’re gonna get good at shampooing with the other hand!  :)

get a second opinion from another surgeon and do some research to find a reputable elbow specialist in your area. My girlfriend fully ruptured her UCL falling and neither surgeon recommended surgery…she did end up getting a surgery but it was to do a tendon release because she started having a nerve paraesthesia in her hand. Even though they were in the same area, the surgeon still did not go in and fix the UCL. This was THE elbow specialist at Stanford too. He said the only people that need to get the UCL repaired are throwing athletes due to the force on the UCL from higher velocity movements. He knew she was a climber and said she’d be fine and she is 

Hi, Best of luck with your recovery. I partially, but severely, tore my UCL in a fall very similar to what Nathan M. describes above (hanging on with one arm during a twisting fall). I opted not to get surgery because of the risks associated with the Tommy John surgery - specifically reduced functionality in fingers due to nerve damage. That said, it wasn't a full rupture. With a bunch of PT and working with Tyler Nelson, I have full functionality of that elbow and am just careful to warm up a bunch before trying hard. Good luck and so sorry to hear about the injury. 

Cat Daddy, can I get your number?

I'd love to talk more

fell onto my outstretched arm 4 weeks ago while bouldering indoors and have a complete tear of my ucl. I have an appt next week but was supposed to leave for a sport climbing trip Saturday…
@quency what’s your update? Any better with rest or did you end up needing surgery?