Anatomical and functional study of the medial collateral ligament complex of the elbow.
OBJECTIVE
To carry out an anatomical study of the medial collateral ligament, an important elbow stabilizer in different degrees of elbow flexion-extension.


METHODS
Forty elbows were dissected in order to analyze the functional behavior of the anterior, posterior and transverse ligament bands during valgus stress maneuvers of the elbow in different degrees of flexion and extension. Two groups were determined; in the group GPA the posterior band of the ligament was sectioned initially, then the articular capsule and finally the anterior band; in group GAP this order was reversed.


RESULTS
Instability was observed in GPA only in the third stage, when there was a greater mean elbow's opening during the flexion (between 50° and 70°); in GAP, the instability was present since the first stage; the degrees of flexion with greater instability were the same as in group GPA.


CONCLUSIONS
The anterior band of the medial collateral ligament of the elbow is the most important stabilizer of the elbow valgus instability, and its principal action occurs between 50° and 70° of elbow flexion. Level of Evidence III, Diagnostic Studies - Investigating a diagnostic test.
Universidade do Oeste Paulista - Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil.
Marcelo Fernandes
MF
Tribst
Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Unicamp - Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Américo
A
Zoppi
Universidade Estadual Júlio Mesquita Filho - Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil.
José Carlos Silva
JC
Camargo
Universidade Estadual Júlio Mesquita Filho - Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil.
Darlene
D
Sassi
Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology of the School of Medicine of Universidade de São Paulo - São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Antonio Egydio
AE
de Carvalho
Articular instability; Elbow/lesion; Human