title: Elbow ligament strain under valgus load: a biomechanical study.
abstract: This study assessed the importance of the anterior and posterior bundles of the medial collateral ligament in the elbow by measuring in situ strain in response to valgus loads at three positions of forearm rotation throughout a full arc of motion. Strain in the anterior bundle was significantly greater than in the posterior bundle and increased with more flexion. The anterior bundle developed strain at a lower flexion angle (30 degrees) than the posterior bundle (60 degrees). Strain ratio increased with load increase for all flexion angles. Forearm position minimally affected strain. These results indicate that the anterior bundle is important in resisting a valgus load, particularly in mid-flexion, while the importance of the posterior bundle increases as the elbow approaches full flexion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of New Mexico, School of Medicine, Albuquerque 87131-5296, USA.
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Pribyl
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Hurley
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Wascher
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: McNally
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Firoozbakhsh
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Weiser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged