Functional outcomes of surgical reconstruction for posterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow.
BACKGROUND
The disruption or insufficiency of lateral ligament complex including lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL) leads to posterolateral rotatory instability (PLRI). An accurate clinical staging is quite useful in predicting the prognosis. The purpose of our study is to review our experience with surgical reconstruction for PLRI of the elbow and to investigate the relationship between the clinical stage of elbow instability and the functional outcomes of PLRI.


METHODS
Patients with PLRI of the elbow determined by fluoroscopic stress view under anaesthesia underwent surgical reconstruction of the LUCL with autogenous tendon graft.


RESULTS
Thirteen of the fourteen patients (93%) were subjectively satisfied with the outcome of the surgery. The mean follow-up was 49 months (range: 24-72). The results were better in patients with stage 1 or 2 instability (group I) compared to those with stage 3 instability (group II).


CONCLUSIONS
Reconstruction of the LUCL using an autogenous tendon graft is an effective method for patients with PLRI of elbow. Since better results were obtained in patients with stage 1 or 2 instability rather than stage 3, accurate clinical staging determined by fluoroscopic stress view under anaesthesia is important before surgery for appropriate treatment and prediction of functional outcomes.
Department of Orthopaedics, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Kun-Yi
KY
Lin
Pei-Hung
PH
Shen
Chian-Her
CH
Lee
Ru-Yu
RY
Pan
Leou-Chyr
LC
Lin
Hsain-Chung
HC
Shen
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017885:Collateral Ligaments / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017746:Joint Capsule / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013710:Tendons / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery* / Q000637:transplantation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014457:Ulna / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult; D000092464:Elbow Injuries