Brandon J Erickson

Rothman Orthopaedic Institute · Department of General Orthopaedics

Objectives Purpose: Overuse injuries to the elbow in the throwing athlete are common. Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR), commonly known as Tommy John surgery, is performed on both recreational and high-level athletes. There is no current literature regarding the incidence and demographic distribution of this surgical procedure in rela...

Background: Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR) has become a common procedure among Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers. It is unclear if a limit on innings pitched after UCLR should be instituted to prevent revision UCLR. Hypothesis: Number of innings pitched and number of pitches thrown after UCLR will not affect whether a pitcher...

Humeral component inclination may play an important role in implant stability and the incidence of scapular notching in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA). This study was conducted to determine if a difference exists between RTSA prostheses with a 135° vs 155° humeral component inclination angle with respect to dislocation rates and scapula...

This study aimed to determine practice patterns for National Football League (NFL) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I football team orthopaedic surgeons regarding management of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears in elite, young, and middle-aged recreational athletes. Two hundred sixty-seven NFL and NCAA Division I te...

Background Medial ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction is a common procedure performed on Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers in the United States. Purpose To determine (1) the rate of return to pitching (RTP) in the MLB after UCL reconstruction, (2) the RTP rate in either the MLB and minor league combined, (3) performance after RTP, an...

Aims The aim of this study was to establish consensus statements on the diagnosis, nonoperative management, and indications, if any, for medial patellofemoral complex (MPFC) repair in patients with patellar instability, using the modified Delphi approach. Methods A total of 60 surgeons from 11 countries were invited to develop consensus statements...

Aims The aim of this study was to establish consensus statements on medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction, anteromedialization tibial tubercle osteotomy, trochleoplasty, and rehabilitation and return to sporting activity in patients with patellar instability, using the modified Delphi process. Methods This was the second part of a s...

Background Although pitch count and rest guidelines have been promoted for youth and adolescent baseball players for nearly 2 decades, compliance with guidelines remains poorly understood. Purpose/Hypothesis The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of compliance with Major League Baseball (MLB) Pitch Smart guidelines as well as the...

Background Stress ultrasonography (SUS) has provided clinicians with an alternative means of evaluating ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury by dynamically assessing ulnohumeral joint space gapping under applied valgus stress. However, 3 previous cadaveric studies have evaluated the biomechanical effect of partial UCL tears at different anatomic...

Background and hypothesis: A double cortical button technique for ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR) has advantages including significant control over graft tensioning, less concern about graft length and minimized risk of bone tunnel fracture compared to traditional UCLR techniques. This double cortical button technique was recently...

Background Internal impingement is a common cause of shoulder pain and dysfunction in baseball pitchers. Purpose/Hypothesis The purpose of this study was to determine if the amount of rest days between outings, the number of innings pitched in each outing, and the number of batters faced in each outing are risk factors for internal impingement in...

Background Elbow capsular release can be performed arthroscopically or through an open method to improve range of motion (ROM). However, it is unclear how frequently patients require an open capsular release after unsatisfactory results from an arthroscopic release. Purpose/Hypothesis The purpose of this study was to determine the percentage of pa...

Objectives While pitch count and rest guidelines have been promoted for youth and adolescent baseball players for nearly two decades, compliance with guidelines remains poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of compliance with Pitch Smart guidelines, as well as the association between compliance and range of mot...

Objectives When surgically managing superior labrum from anterior to posterior (SLAP) tears, there is no consensus on whether SLAP repair or biceps tenodesis yields superior long term outcomes. Additionally, no previous studies have specifically examined outcomes of these procedures in female patients, despite evidence of sex-based differences in r...

Objectives A double button technique using a cortical button on both the humeral and ulnar sides of the UCLR for fixation has recently been proposed, with advantages including greater control over graft tensioning and decreased risk of bone tunnel fracture. This double cortical button technique was recently evaluated biomechanically and found to be...

Objectives The presence of ulnar neuropathy in baseball pitchers is a poor prognostic factor of successful return to play and may adversely impact outcomes after ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR). Screening programs to identify negative ulnar nerve adaptations in throwing athletes can help minimize injury risk, individualize treatment...

Objectives Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) tears are common in baseball players. When non-operative management fails; reconstruction or repair may be necessary to restore physical function. There is no clear consensus regarding the indications for surgery based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tear characteristics, or the indications for selecti...

Objectives Injury of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) has become increasingly common, particularly in overhead athletes. There is no consensus on management of the ulnar nerve in UCL reconstruction (UCLR) in patients with pre-operative ulnar nerve symptoms, as literature supports both not decompressing the nerve as well as ulnar nerve transposit...

Objectives Electronic sports (esports) have grown tremendously in the past decade with an estimated market value of $493 million in 2017 and an expected growth to $2.3 billion dollars by the end of 2022. Additionally, colleges are embracing this growing culture with over 200 varsity esports programs as of May 2022, up from 7 varsity programs just t...

Background Patella alta is a risk factor for recurrent patellar instability. Differences in chondral injury in patients with patellar instability between patella alta and patella norma have not been evaluated. Purpose To analyze whether preoperative cartilage damage differs in severity and location between patellar instability patients with and wi...

Shoulder instability is one of the most common pathologies treated by orthopedic sports medicine and shoulder surgeons. While the primary direction of instability is anteroinferior, there are patients who suffer from posterior instability as well as multidirectional instability (MDI). MDI indicates the patient has shoulder instability in two or mor...

Background: Studies have shown that utilization and outcomes after shoulder arthroplasty vary by sociodemographic factors, highlighting disparities in care. This systematic review synthesized all available literature regarding the relationship between utilization and outcomes of shoulder arthroplasty and race/ethnicity. Methods: Studies were ide...

Background The impact of single-sport specialization on performance and injury risk in youth and adolescent athletes remains debated. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of single-sport specialization and its association with pitch velocity, pitcher utilization, range of motion, strength, and injury history. Methods High schoo...

Background Purposeful rehabilitation before surgery (prehabilitation) has been researched and implemented in the treatment of anterior cruciate ligament tears. However, it is unclear whether prehabilitation would affect outcomes for baseball pitchers with partial ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tears. Purpose/Hypothesis The purpose of this study w...

Background Pitch counts are tightly monitored in Major League Baseball (MLB). Hidden pitches—including warm-up pitches before and between innings and pitches before the starting/relieving pitcher’s appearance in a game—are not as closely monitored. Purpose/Hypothesis To report the number of hidden pitches thrown per game and over the course of a s...

Objectives Despite successful return to sport (RTS) outcomes after posteromedial osteophyte resection, one possible consequence of removing this osteophyte is increased stress on the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), leading to a UCL injury. It is currently unknown how often overhead athletes who have an isolated posteromedial osteophyte resection p...

Objectives Patellar instability is estimated to affect approximately 150 out of 100,000 adolescents between the age of 14-18 years old, a rate which is expected to increase over time. Several risk factors have been associated with patellar instability such as younger age, trochlear dysplasia and patella alta. Patella alta is defined as a superiorly...

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a preoperative Caton-Deschamps index (CDI) ≥ 1.30, as measured by magnetic resonance imaging, is associated with rates of postoperative instability, revision knee surgery, and patient-reported outcomes in patients undergoing isolated medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction....

Background: Preoperative assessment of the glenoid and surgical placement of the initial guide wire are important in implant positioning during reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA). Three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) and patient specific instrumentation (PSI) have improved the placement of the glenoid component, but the impact o...

Background: Injury of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) has become increasingly common, particularly in overhead athletes. There is no consensus on management of the ulnar nerve in UCL reconstruction (UCLR) in patients with preoperative ulnar nerve symptoms, as literature supports both not decompressing the nerve as well as ulnar nerve transposi...

Background: Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) tears are common in baseball players. When non-operative management fails; reconstruction or repair may be necessary to restore physical function. There is no clear consensus regarding the indications for surgery based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tear characteristics, or the indications for selec...

Background: Weighted-ball velocity training programs are popular but may be associated with increased injury risk. The purpose of this study was to determine the current frequency of these programs, as well as their association with range of motion, strength, velocity, injury, and utilization in high school baseball pitchers. Methods: This was a...

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish consensus statements on the treatment of UCL injuries and to investigate whether consensus on these distinct topics could be reached. Methods: A modified consensus technique was conducted among twenty-six elbow surgeons and 3 physical therapists/athletic trainers. Strong consensus was defined a...

Postoperative rehabilitation is a critical part of the treatment algorithm for patients with shoulder issues. When patients could not go to in-person therapy, many therapists pivoted to a remote option, and several application-based rehabilitation programs emerged. This article will discuss the shift to remote patient rehabilitation and will highli...

Background and hypothesis: Controversy exists as to the ideal management of young active patients with subcritical glenoid bone loss and an off-track Hill-Sachs lesion, and the Latarjet and arthroscopic Bankart with remplissage are effective surgical options. The purpose of this study was to compare rates of recurrent instability and re-operation,...

Purpose To compare the results of patients who underwent Bankart repair with or without concomitant remplissage for treatment of shoulder instability. Methods All patients who underwent shoulder stabilization for shoulder instability from 2014 to 2019 were evaluated. Patients who underwent remplissage were matched to those patients who received no...

Background Collegiate electronic sports (esports) in the United States has grown from seven varsity programs in 2016 to over 200 today. Despite its growing success, little has been studied on the injuries of these athletes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of injuries sustained by collegiate esports players and explore the inju...

Purpose: It is unclear if an elevated tibial tubercle-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance is a risk factor for poor outcomes following ACLR. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether patients with an elevated TT-TG have an increased risk of retear following primary ACLR compared to controls with a normal TT-TG. Methods: All pat...

The number of total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) procedures performed each year has continued to rise. While these procedures were historically done in the inpatient setting, many surgeons have migrated to performing TSA and RTSA in the outpatient setting. This can either involve sending patients home t...

Background and Hypothesis Despite successful return to sport (RTS) outcomes after posteromedial osteophyte resection, one possible consequence of removing this osteophyte is increased stress on the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), leading to a UCL injury. It is currently unknown how often overhead athletes who have an isolated posteromedial osteoph...

Background and hypothesis: Glenohumeral internal rotation deficit has been identified as a significant risk factor for upper-extremity injuries in pitchers across all ages. Humeral retroversion (HR), posterior capsule thickness (PCT), and posterior rotator cuff muscle pennation angle (PA) have been independently associated with internal rotation r...

Purpose of Review Baseball has become one of the largest data-driven sports. In this review, we highlight the historical context of how big data and sabermetrics began to transform baseball, the current methods for data collection and analysis in baseball, and a look to the future including emerging technologies. Recent Findings Machine learning (...

Objectives Shoulder and elbow injuries account for about one-fourth of the total injuries in professional baseball players. The loss of shoulder internal rotation range of motion (IR ROM) has been identified as a significant risk factor for upper extremity injuries in pitchers across all ages. Several anatomic structures have been independently ass...

Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine if number of days of rest between outings, number of innings pitched in each outing, number of batters faced in each outing, and being a starting pitcher are risk factors for internal impingement in professional baseball pitchers. Methods All professional baseball pitchers who were diagnosed wi...

Objectives It remains unclear which subset of patients with recurrent patellofemoral instability would benefit from a concomitant bony realignment procedure in addition to a medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction. The purpose of this study is to provide midterm results on previously reported patient reported outcomes (PRO), return to...

Objectives Outcomes following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) are generally good/excellent. While some risk factors for poor outcomes following ACLR have been determined, there are many that remain unknown. It is unclear if an elevated tibial tubercle trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance is a risk factor for poor outcomes following AC...

Objectives Surgical positioning can affect intra- and post-operative complication rates for many reasons, including potential differences in anatomic approaches and proximity to nearby nerves. The beach chair and lateral decubitus positions are the two most common positions for shoulder arthroscopy, and each offers their own unique advantages and d...

Objectives Determine the performance and return to play (RTP) outcomes for professional baseball players that undergo surgical treatment for thoracic outlet syndrome. Methods All professional baseball players who underwent surgical treatment of TOS between 2010-2017 were identified using the major league baseball (MLB) HITS (Health and Injury Trac...

Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the return to sport (RTS) rate and performance upon RTS in professional baseball players who underwent biceps tenodesis. A secondary purpose was to compare the postoperative performance of the group of players who underwent biceps tenodesis to a group of matched controls. Methods All profession...

Background Medial epicondylitis (ME) is a pathological condition that arises in laborers and athletes secondary to repetitive wrist flexion and forearm pronation causing degeneration of the common flexor tendon. Although nonoperative management has demonstrated high rates of success, no standardized surgical technique has been established for situa...

Background: Humeral stem length in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) has decreased in recent years in an attempt to preserve more bone and facilitate stem removal in the revision setting. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes of a short- to standard-length stem RTSA. The authors hypothesized that...

Background The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in the cancellation of the 2020 National Football League (NFL) preseason and a decreased preseason roster size. The effect of this disruption on athlete injury rates is unknown. Purpose/Hypothesis The purpose was to quantify the rates of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), Achilles tendon,...

Background Meniscal repair is an effective treatment option for certain meniscal injuries to preserve meniscal function and limit the progression of knee osteoarthritis. Outcomes after meniscal repair in professional baseball players are not well documented. Purposes/Hypothesis The purposes of this study were to determine performance and return to...

Background Surgical positioning can affect both perioperative and postoperative complication rates. It is unclear whether beach-chair versus lateral decubitus positioning affects outcomes in patients undergoing arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization surgery. Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare recurrent instability, complication...

Background The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the elbow is subject to repetitive stress in overhead throwing athletes. This can lead to morphologic changes at the bony attachments of the UCL and hypertrophy of the sublime tubercle. The purpose of this case series is to describe the surgical details and clinical outcomes of a series of competiti...

Background Both beach-chair and lateral decubitus patient positioning are often utilized for shoulder arthroscopy, with each offering its unique advantages and disadvantages. The surgical position is often selected according to each surgeon's preference, with no clear superiority of one position over the other. Purpose/Hypothesis The purpose was t...

Background: The influence of player workload on hamstring and calf injuries in professional baseball players remains unknown. Hypothesis: Increased workload would significantly increase hamstring and calf strain injury risk. Study design: Case-control. Level of evidence: Level 3. Methods: All professional baseball players who sustained a h...

Background Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) is an excellent treatment option for a variety of shoulder pathologies. Anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) remains an excellent treatment for patients with glenohumeral arthritis and a functioning rotator cuff. RTSA has become a much more common procedure than TSA in recent times. It is...

Background Biceps tendon pathology is common in patients with rotator cuff tears. Leaving biceps pathology untreated in rotator cuff repairs (RCRs) may lead to suboptimal outcomes. Purpose/Hypothesis The purpose was to compare clinical outcomes between patients who underwent isolated RCR versus patients who underwent RCR with concomitant biceps tr...

Background Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction (UCLR) is a common surgery among baseball pitchers. UCL repair combined with augmentation using high strength tape, referred to as an internal brace, was developed as an alternative to UCLR in select patients with the benefit of allowing these athletes to return to sport (RTS) faster. A comb...

Introduction: In an effort to preserve bone, humeral stems in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) have gradually decreased in length. The purpose of this study was to compare the immediate postoperative radiographic appearance of short-length with standard-length RTSA stems. Methods: Patients who underwent RTSA using a press-fit standard-...

Purpose To evaluate and describe the differences in characteristics between the Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers with greater workload and career longevity in terms of innings pitched (IP) and performance-matched controls who have not experienced similar length careers. Methods Using publicly available data, we identified the top 100 MLB pitch...

Background Meniscal injuries are common in athletes across many sports. How professional baseball players respond to partial meniscectomy is not well documented. Purpose/Hypothesis The purpose was to determine the performance and return-to-sports (RTS) rate in professional baseball players after arthroscopic partial knee meniscectomy and compare t...

Background Understanding and reducing lengths-of-stay (LOS) after orthopedic procedures has become essential with the implementation of bundled payment reimbursement models. Previous small cohort investigations have identified risk factors for increased LOS after primary shoulder arthroplasty, such as renal insufficiency, cardiac disease, American...

Background Bicipital disorders are common among overhead athletes, especially professional baseball players. The ideal treatment for bicipital problems in professional baseball players is unknown. Purpose/Hypothesis The purpose was to determine the return-to-sport (RTS) rate and performance after RTS in professional baseball players who underwent...

Background Injury rates in baseball players of all ages are increasing. Identifying modifiable risk factors is paramount to implementing injury prevention programs. Purpose/Hypothesis The purpose was to evaluate the influence of weather (temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, and heat index) and game factors (start time, duration, single vs...

Glenohumeral arthritis is a common problem affecting many patients throughout the world. In elderly patients who have failed non-operative treatment, glenohumeral arthritis is often addressed with a shoulder arthroplasty. However, glenohumeral arthritis in young patients is not as easily treated and presents many challenging clinical problems. In o...

The scapulothoracic articulation is one of four joints, including the glenohumeral, acromioclavicular, and sternoclavicular joints, that work in concert to allow the shoulder to have the greatest range of motion of any joint in the body. Scapulothoracic motion is a significant contributor because it helps account for one third of shoulder elevation...

Pathology of the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) is a common cause of shoulder pain that may result in significant functional limitations. The diagnosis of this pathology may be challenging due to many other anatomic structures that can produce anterior shoulder pain. When indicated arthroscopic biceps tenodesis may alleviate pain, increase f...

Background Injury rates in professional baseball players are increasing. It is unclear if the time of rest from the All-Star break affects injury risk Methods Every professional baseball game (A-, A+, AA, AAA, and MLB) played between 2011 and 2017 was included. Each game was then classified as control game (games played in April, May, June, and Se...

Purpose To retrospectively investigate the clinical and functional outcomes of patients who underwent knotted medial-row rotator cuff repair (KT-RCR) compared with patients who underwent knotless medial-row rotator cuff repair (KL-RCR). Methods A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent double-row transosseous-equivalent rotator cuff r...

Background Latissimus dorsi (LD) and teres major (TM) tears have become increasingly recognized injuries in professional baseball pitchers. The purpose of this study was to determine if workload, as measured by number of days rest between outings, innings pitched, batters faced, and starting pitcher, is associated with increased risk for sustaining...

Treatment of irreparable rotator cuff tears can be one of the most difficult problems for orthopedic surgeons to address. While the decision-making process is sometimes straightforward, as in the elderly patient with an irreparable rotator cuff tear, this problem presents a significant challenge in the young patient without significant arthritic ch...

As the number of rotator cuff repairs (RCR) continues to rise and healing rates remain stagnant, graft, and scaffold augmentation in RCR surgery has become increasingly popular. Early studies have shown favorable outcomes for several devices, including allografts, xenografts, and synthetic scaffolds. Further work is needed to understand the long-te...

Background: While results following ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR) in baseball players have been well documented, the literature is replete regarding the outcomes following UCLR in javelin thrower. Purpose: To report outcomes following UCLR in javelin throwers HYPOTHESIS: UCLR in javelin throwers will result in a high rate of re...

Background There are some professional baseball players who begin their career as a position player and later convert to a pitcher; injury rates in these players are unknown. Purpose To compare injury rates of professional baseball players who started their career as position players and converted to pitchers with a control group of pitchers who h...