Ligamentous reconstruction for posterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow

Abstract

Eleven consecutively seen patients who had posterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow joint were managed operatively. The radial collateral-ligament complex was advanced and imbricated in three of them. In seven patients, the ulnar band of the radial collateral ligament (the lateral ulnar collateral ligament) was reconstructed with the palmaris longus tendon and in two of the seven, the reconstruction was augmented with a prosthetic ligament. The ligament was reconstructed with the lateral one-third of the triceps fascia in the remaining patient. Stability was obtained in ten patients, and seven patients had an excellent functional result. There was one failure in one of the patients in whom the ulnar band of the radial collateral ligament had been reconstructed with the palmaris longus tendon and augmented with a prosthetic ligament.