Biomechanical evaluation of a new reconstruction technique of the ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow with modified bone tunnel placement and interference screw fixation.
BACKGROUND
A new method for reconstruction of the anterior bundle of the ulnar collateral ligament using modified bone tunnel placement and interference screw fixation was developed to minimize operative dissection, improve graft tensioning, and reduce associated operative morbidities. The objective of this study was to compare varus-valgus laxity and failure properties of this new ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction to the intact ulnar collateral ligament.


METHODS
Nine matched pairs of cadaveric upper extremities were used, the intact ulnar collateral ligament as the control for the load to failure properties and the contralateral arm for ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction. Varus-valgus laxity was measured at 30 degrees, 50 degrees, 70 degrees, and 90 degrees of elbow flexion for intact, ulnar collateral ligament transected, and ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction. Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction was performed using a tendon graft passed through a bone tunnel and looped around the medial column of the humerus without dissection of the ulnar nerve. Distally, the graft was looped through a bone tunnel in the proximal ulna. Both ends were secured with interference screws. The specimens were loaded to failure at 50 degrees of flexion at a rate of 30 deg/s. Repeated measures analysis of variance with a P value of 0.05 was used.


RESULTS
Elbow laxity significantly increased with ulnar collateral ligament transection. Following reconstruction, varus-valgus laxity at 30 degrees and 50 degrees of elbow flexion was completely restored to the intact state, only partially restored at 70 degrees, and not changed at 90 degrees. There was no significant difference between the yield and ultimate torques for the intact vs. reconstructed elbows. The angular displacement at yield and failure was significantly greater for the reconstructed elbows compared to the intact.


CONCLUSIONS
This reconstruction technique provides comparable strength to that of the native ligament. While stability was improved, failure occurred at greater angular displacement for the reconstructed limbs.
Seiber
Kenneth S
KS
Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Long Beach VA Healthcare System and University of California, Irvine, CA 90822, USA.
Savoie
Felix H
FH
McGarry
Michelle H
MH
Gupta
Ranjan
R
Lee
Thay Q
TQ
D001863:Bone Screws; D002102:Cadaver; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008022:Ligaments / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014457:Ulna / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery