Posterolateral Rotatory Instability of the Elbow Joint

Rhyou,  In Hyeok

doi:2018.23.2.69

Arch Hand Microsurg > Volume 23(2); 2018 > Article

Review

Archives of Hand and Microsurgery 2018;23(2):69-77.
Published online June 1, 2018.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12790/ahm.2018.23.2.69

Posterolateral Rotatory Instability of the Elbow Joint

In Hyeok Rhyou

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Upper Extremity and Microsurgery Center, Pohang Semyeong Christianity Hospital, Pohang, Korea. osdrrih@gmail.com

Received: 1 May 2018 • Revised: 3 May 2018 • Accepted: 7 May 2018

Abstract

Posterolateral rotatory instability (PLRI) of the elbow joint is not rare and has been known to be caused by the insufficiency of the lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL), since the first description by O'Driscoll et al. However, many anatomical, clinical, and experimental studies cast doubts on the main role of the LUCL and highlight the lateral collateral ligament complex consisting of radial collateral ligament, LUCL, annular ligament, and accessory collateral ligament all work together to prevent PLRI. Because the original LUCL reconstruction technique does not uniformly lead to good clinical results, new techniques based on biomechanical background have been developed and attempted to obtain better results. Here, review of the anatomical and biomechanical knowledge about the PLRI including the basic concept till now is presented to provide better understanding and management of PLRI.

Key Words: Posterolateral, Rotatory, Instability, Elbow