[Lateral ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction : A biomechanical analysis of posterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow]. / Laterale ulnare Kollateralbandplastik : Biomechanische Untersuchung zur posterolateralen Rotationsinstabilität des Ellenbogens.

BACKGROUND: Chronic posterolateral rotatory instability (PLRI) of the elbow is the result of an insufficiency of the lateral collateral ligament (LCL). Lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL) reconstruction represents a well-established treatment method for PLRI. However, recurrent instability remains a problem. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this in-vitro study was to evaluate the posterolateral rotatory stability of the intact elbow, after sectioning of the LCL and after LUCL reconstruction with a triceps tendon autograft and double BicepsButton(TM) fixation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Posterolateral rotatory stability of 6 fresh-frozen elbow specimens at a torque of 3 Nm was analyzed at 0, 45, 90 and 120° of flexion for the intact LCL, after sectioning of the LCL and after LUCL reconstruction. Moreover, cyclic loading (1000 cycles) of the intact specimens and after LUCL reconstruction was performed. RESULTS: The intact LCL and the LUCL reconstruction provided equal primary stability (0.250 ≤ p ≤ 0.888). Sectioning of the LCL significantly increased PLRI (p < 0.001). The stability of the intact specimens and after LUCL reconstruction did not differ after cyclic loading (p = 0.218). During cyclic loading, posterolateral rotation increased significantly more after LUCL reconstruction (3.2 ± 0.8°) when compared to the native LCL (2.0 ± 0.7°, p = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS: LUCL reconstruction with BicepsButton(TM) fixation provides comparable stability to the native LCL. Further clinical results are necessary to evaluate whether this technique can decrease the complication rate.